Charles W. Brown was an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where he taught human resources strategy, as a part of the Graduate Program in Human Resource Management (MHRM) for six years until his retirement in 2018. He additionally recruited minority students and was the Adviser to the MHRM Minority Students Networking Group. Prior to teaching at Rutgers, Charles was formerly Associate Ethics Officer for Merck and Company, Incorporated in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey. He was responsible for assuring high ethical standards were maintained throughout Merck in accordance with its code of conduct. He primarily had responsibility for employees in Latin America, Canada, Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Prior to this assignment, Mr. Brown was the Director of Human Resource for Merck’s Global Pharmaceutical Business, was also Director of Employee Relations and Corporate Human Resource Director. What he enjoyed most in these positions was coaching employees about their careers and helping them to succeed.
Mr. Brown joined Schering-Plough Corporation (now Merck) in 1979 as a Corporate Benefit Administrator in Kenilworth, New Jersey. He advanced through various positions including Supervisor and Manager Benefits Administration and Human Resource Manager. Under his leadership, Schering-Plough created an industry leading minority summer intern program for sales representatives. He also partnered with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) where he recruited students completing their Masters of Business Administration degree.
In January 2013 Mr. Brown was appointed to the Board of Trustees for Somerset Medical Center, where he also served as the Chair of the Compensation/ Human Resources Committee. He was a member of the Compensation/ Human Resources Committee for more than seven years. He was an advisor to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, is a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the North Jersey Men’s Club. He served on the Board of Rutgers Preparatory School for seven years. Mr. Brown was honored by Merck’s League of Employees of African Descent (LEAD) for his timeless contributions to this organization. Mr. Brown was also honored in 2011 by the New Brunswick Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as its 2011 Corporate Diversity Honoree.
Mr. Brown was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens (FBCLG) where he was recognized as Man of the Month for his leadership of a job fair and employment training programs. He also was part of CNN’s Soledad O’Brien’s Black in America television program focused on the economic health of Black America. Additionally, for more than 14 years he assisted St. Alban’s Episcopal Church of New Brunswick, New Jersey with their annual Health Fair and other events. Several years ago he was also named a Friend of St. Alban’s.
Mr. Brown received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Virginia Union University in 1972 and he continues to contribute to his alma mater. For many years he has been a part of VUU’s President’s Circle for his generous level of giving. In 2014 VUU recognized Mr. Brown as a “Distinguished Alumni in Business” during the school’s 150 anniversary. In 2022 Mr. Brown was a co-class agent for his 50th graduation ceremony and raised the second highest amount of donations of any class in the school’s history. He and his wife Theresa Ann Brown, who is a 1973 graduate of Virginia Union University with a major in History and Government, reside in Bradenton, Florida. Their daughter, Dr. Kimberly B. Dean resides in South Carolina.