Mark Brown

Colonel Mark Brown grew up in Valparaiso, IN and graduated from Purdue University in 1973 with a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.  He also earned an M.S. in Astronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1980.  While at Purdue, he met Lynne Anderson from River Grove, IL, and they were married in 1974.  They have two daughters, both Purdue grads who also married Boilermakers.  Mark and Lynne live in Beavercreek, OH, spend their winters in Naples, and enjoy being grandparents.

Mark has had a distinguished career as an Air Force fighter pilot, engineer, NASA astronaut, NASA manager, corporate executive, and aerospace consultant.  His 20-year career with the Air Force and NASA included flying the T-37, T-38, T-33, and F-106 aircraft, flying two missions aboard the space shuttles Columbia in ’89, Discovery in ’91, and being the senior astronaut on the space station program until he retired in 1993.   He then worked in the aerospace industry in Dayton, OH for an additional 20 years in ever increasing roles of corporate responsibility to include President and Chief Operating Officer.  After leaving industry, he worked as an independent aerospace consultant and speaker till he retired.  Mark is also a member of the Air Force Museum Foundation Board, the Purdue University Industrial Advisory Council, and the Association of Space Explorers which is an international nonprofit professional and educational organization of over 400 astronauts and cosmonauts from 37 countries.  The members advise governments and corporations on space related issues and speak to students throughout the world about their space experiences.