June 15, 2017

 Ed Brown in front of McMullen Hall

 

Ed Brown, pictured here, started his position as manager of the MSUB campus bookstore on May 15.

Ed Brown getting acquainted with new role as MSUB Jackets & Company director

 

Contacts:

Jackets & Company, 657-1721

University Relations, 657-2266

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Ed Brown has had a lot of new in his life this past month. On May 15, he took the helm as director of the Montana State University Billings Jackets and Company.

 

A week later, he and his wife welcomed a baby girl into their family. They also have a five-year-old daughter.

 

While his children won’t be attending college for quite some time, Brown says the students are what he really enjoys about his job.

 

“The students bring life to the job and a different perspective,” he said. “It’s great to watch them grow and then see them move in their life.”

 

Prior to becoming the campus store director, which sells everything from textbooks, school supplies, MSUB-branded apparel, snacks and more, Brown served as the University’s enrollment management analyst with New Student Services.

 

There, he administered Customer Relationship Management Software and developed and maintained a new robust application for admissions.

 

With nine years’ experience in retail (including overseeing the $56 million women’s shoe department at the New York City Macy’s), Brown is looking forward to returning to management.

 

“It’s good to get back into retail,” he said. “But it is the best of both worlds. I get to continue working in higher education, but within a different way.”

 

Some of his goals for Jackets & Company include increasing integration into University and City College events. He would also like the store to be involved in the Billings community to bring awareness and visibility to both MSUB and the store.

 

He also looks forward to creating relationships and building dialogue with faculty, staff and students. 

 

“I hope to make the store more of destination rather than a thoroughfare of the SUB,” he said. “We’ll also be looking at offering some different apparel, more styles and more affordable options.”

 

Brown, 35, graduated from Montana Tech of the University of Montana in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Information Technology and Management.