BS CSC 1983

Graduating with a BS in Computer Science in 1983 from NC State University, and later with an MBA from Duke University, Tony McLean Brown is a Principal Partner and Director of Strategic Investments at Public Consulting Group, Inc. (PCG).

For almost four decades, Brown has been a leader of projects in public sector information technology (IT), which includes management consulting, systems integration, and operations related to the healthcare, social care, and education industries. He oversaw the expansion of PCG’s core capabilities, including federal revenue optimization, K-12 public special education (SPED) services, consumer direction, workforce development, and most recently, has worked to develop partnerships between PCG and school districts across the nation to cultivate the next generation of space leaders, explorers and entrepreneurs.

As a facilitator, advocate and frequent public speaker, Brown has been a long-time supporter of the North Carolina Institute for Emerging Issues (NC IEI), South by Southwest Education (SXSW EDU), National Human Services Finance Offers (HSFO), National Third-Party Liability (TPL), National Title 1, and special education (SPED) conferences.

His passion and technical leadership were instrumental in the establishment of PCG’s Third-Party Liability (TPL) Practice Area (PA), which became the market leader just prior to PCG’s divesture of the TPL business in 2006. The TPL PA provided a full range of identification and billing services, operational support, and subject matter expertise (SME) to both Medicaid programs and managed care organizations (MCOs).

PCG’s new office expansions were also led by Brown in the Southeast, the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, and Australia. He supported the enhancement of PCG’s back-office systems and collaboration tools to improve compliance with federal data confidentiality and security requirements.

Brown’s legacy goes far beyond his professional accomplishments. A seasoned pilot and thrill seeker, he a man who lives life at its fullest. Whether it was running with the bulls in Spain, climbing to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or qualifying for and running in the Boston Marathon, he embraces every day as a gift. At his core, he is fully aware that he has been blessed, and he focuses on leveraging his passion to advance multiple volunteer and philanthropic efforts to help people and make a positive difference in the world.

In 2007, Brown published “A Happy Guide to a Short Life,” a humorous and insightful response to Anna Quindlen’s “A Short Guide to a Happy Life” and directed most of the proceeds to philanthropic causes. He has collaborated and partnered with numerous NASCAR, country music, and sports celebrities in their support of a variety of charities. In 2009, he and his family started the popular Barnstock music festival outside Davidson, NC. Over the last decade, their efforts have generously supported hundreds of health, social service, educational, and community service organizations locally and around the globe.

Brown’s passion for NC State University runs deep. Two of his three children – Miles and Julia -- are NC State alumni, both graduating as business majors in 2014 and 2019, respectively. Julia had an outstanding career with the women’s volleyball team at NC State before playing professionally in Europe. The Browns are long-time supporters of not only athletics via the Wolfpack Club, but also academics across a number of disciplines including the Institute for Emerging Issues, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the College of Engineering. He and his family have also supported the Student Emergency Fund and the Feed the Pack Pantry. In 2021, Brown and his family made a $1M gift to support the MFA in Creative Writing program at NC State. The gift was the largest ever for a humanities department at NC State and creates one of the largest funded endowments in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Brown has generously supported the Department of Computer Science as well, donating tickets to sporting events used to cultivate new donors, and by providing lead and challenge gifts for strategic initiatives such as the 40th Year Celebration and the annual ‘Day of Giving’ campaigns. He and his family have also established an endowment that provides unrestricted support for the department to fund student-defined entrepreneurial projects in the Senior Design Center.

Born and raised in Candler, NC, Brown has spent a lifetime working across the state to make this a more inclusive and competitive place to live, work, and play for the 10M+ beautifully diverse people who call North Carolina their home. He has worked hard to inspire his neighbors, friends, family, coworkers, and local community to contribute money and increase awareness for women, LBGQT+, and BIPOC citizens’ to fight for equality, especially for our state’s most disadvantaged populations.

Tony Mclean Brown’s impact as an alumnus of the Department of Computer Science is exponential. The evidence of his commitment to improving the world philanthropically and via volunteer efforts is reflected today across many causes and lives, and will continue to be evident in their future advancement.