Candidate for
Board Member; West Contra Costa Unified School District

Dave Brown is a refreshing new leader who combines the dedication of a public school teacher and the experience of a public policy expert. He has helped shape young lives as a coach and teacher in our local schools and has analyzed budgets and policy for a local school district.

Dave Brown: A Teacher and Small Business Owner

Before becoming active full-time in government, Dave was an educator in the West Contra Costa schools. He knows that the first step to educational excellence is refocusing on the basics, arming our faculty and staff with the resources and support they need and demanding accountability at all levels. To this day, Dave continues to work with and coach young people in local schools.

Dave is a businessman who knows how to balance budgets and manage resources. In 2002, Dave and his wife, Emily Chang, launched a small business in West County that provides fundraising services to local non-profit organizations and public agencies. In addition, Dave is a co-founder of JMPT Inc., a successful technology company that provides public and non-profit agencies with software tools and policy expertise.

Dave Brown: An Experienced Public Policy Expert

Dave made his mark on East Bay politics as the top policy aide to former Alameda County Supervisor (now Assemblywoman) Wilma Chan and as Chief of Staff to County Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker. Dave also spent nearly two years as the lead budgetary and policy analyst for the Oakland Board of Education.

During the past ten years, Dave has been a leader in the fight to improve education and health care on a local and state level. In particular, he has helped increase funds for local school-based Healthy Start initiatives, has spearheaded a task force to expand health insurance for children, and has worked to strengthen partnerships between local governments and schools.

Dave Brown: A West County Native

Dave was born and raised in West County and attended West Contra Costa public schools. He grew up in El Sobrante helping his parents run Canyon Swim School, the family business that is located next to their house. He went on to Stanford University where he competed on the varsity swim team and was twice elected Student Body President.

The tradition of community service runs deep in the Brown family. His father, Fred Brown, is a well-known coach who has helped thousands of young people stay on the right track. Before joining the Merritt College faculty, Fred taught and coached for 20 years in West Contra Costa schools. Dave's mother, Carol Brown, is a respected public health nurse who has worked for more than three decades to improve the quality of health care for local children and families.

Dave lives in El Sobrante and is married to Emily Chang, an executive director for a local non-profit organization. To contact Dave, please call 510-758-7077 or email dbrown247@yahoo.com.