Dennis Mark Brown, Chief Customer Officer of the Fayetteville Public Works Commission (PWC) in North Carolina, passed away on June 15, 2022 at the age of 68.
A Celebration of Mark’s Life was held at PWC virtually on June 29, 2022. Those that spoke represented the impact Brown had on PWC and Fayetteville since joining the utility in 2013.
Speakers included: Elaina Ball, PWC CEO; Evelyn Shaw, PWC Chair; Mick Noland, PWC Chief Water Resources Officer; David Trego, PWC CEO 2015-2020; Fayetteville City Council member Chris Davis, PWC Key Accounts Manager Kimberly Rodriguez, as well as Former Assistant City Manager, Jay Reinstein and representatives of the Rayconda Homeowners Association, Fayetteville Area Plumbers Association, Alzheimer's Association of Eastern NC and United Way of Cumberland County.
Brown joined PWC in January 2013 as Senior Customer Programs Officer and in 2021 was named Chief Customer Officer, overseeing the contact and call centers, the meter to cash process, key accounts, field services, metering, and customer programs.
Having worked in the electric industry for over 35 years, he was passionate about customer service. He believed in proactive customer service and always telling the truth. As a former teacher, Brown believed in educating customers and the community on PWC utility services.
He was instrumental in the development of PWC’s Community Solar Project. As PWC’s resident expert on rooftop solar, it was important to him to ensure that customers who could not afford to install roof-top solar panels did not subsidize those who could.
Brown served as a liaison between PWC and the City of Fayetteville. He attended Council meetings, presented on PWC's behalf and felt it was important to be present if PWC came up.
He was active in the community, serving on the United Way Board and as Chair of the United Way’s Leadership Development Committee. He was twice named the United Way's Volunteer of the Year.
He was extremely dedicated to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, leading the PWC JayWalkers team in honor of his good friend Jay Reinstein and serving on the Walk’s planning committee. Brown was also active with several local trade organizations including the Fayetteville Area Plumbers Association.
At the national level, Brown was an active member of the Smart Energy Consumer Collaboration (SECC) and believed strongly in SECC’s mission is to be a trusted source of information on consumers' views of grid modernization, energy delivery and usage, and to help consumers understand the benefits of smart energy. He served as Chairman of SECC from 2016-2019.
Mark was a proud alumni of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa.
Mark is survived by his wife, Polly; sons Matthew and Nathan; sister Patty and brother Bret as well as his PWC family, friends and community members.
