Gary A. Brown

Mr. Brown was appointed the Director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) in October 2015. Under his leadership, DWSD has been transformed to a customer-centric, fiscally responsible organization that is amid a capital improvement program to upgrade Detroit’s local water and sewer systems. Even before the COVID-19 Pandemic, Mr. Brown began shifting the department from an in-person customer service model to an efficient, responsive and technologically driven, cashless operation. Further, he has spearheaded water affordability efforts, which coupled with these other improvements resulted in a 93 percent collection rate. Mr. Brown serves on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Local Government Advisory Council. Previously, he was the City of Detroit’s Group Executive for Operations and Chief Operating Officer under Mayor Mike Duggan, charged with ensuring continued improvement of city services. He also served three years as an elected President Pro-Tempore of the Detroit City Council, and on the Detroit Police Department for 26 years including as the Deputy Chief of Internal Affairs.