The community college experience set the stage for Mary Brown’s career.
A Virginia Peninsula Community College graduate, Brown is a senior human resources business partner for NFI Industries. She landed at the Suffolk-based logistics company in the Port Services division after several career twists and turns.
Human resources is the field she believes she was destined for.
“I’m where I want to be in right now,” said Brown. “I love working with people. I love helping people, and this career is the best way for me to support the workforce.”
Brown’s career started in computer-aided drafting and design, commonly known as CADD. She enrolled at VPCC after graduating from Denbigh High School and completed her studies in 1988, earning an associate degree.
Securing a degree in CADD led to a position at HII Newport News Shipbuilding. She attributes this good fortune to sound advice.
“My father influenced me to pursue something where I could immediately get to work and make money … make decisions once I had a solid foundation,” she said.
Brown returned to VPCC around 1992 to participate in a cooperative education program with NASA. She recalled being among only a few women in the College’s engineering program. Support and encouragement from Roger LeMasters, then-CADD program chair in the Mathematics, Engineering and Technology division, and Nancy Bonilla, the division’s administrative assistant, made all the difference, she noted.
“They created a welcoming environment, supporting women in the program. He was amazing in looking out for women in the program. (Nancy) was a huge catalyst to my success in the program,” Brown remembered.
“She was our unofficial adviser. She was like a mom … and just made us feel welcome and included in the male-dominated field,” she added.
After several years in engineering, Brown decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Averett University.
“I loved it, but I really wanted to do more,” she said, noting human resources became her focus.
In 2012, after taking time away from work to concentrate on motherhood, she entered the human resources field. In her role in the manufacturing and distributions industry, Brown believes her engineering and industrial background is a bonus.
Her duties involve employee relations, supporting company leaders and helping implement organizational changes. She admits the job keeps her on her toes.
“In human resources, no day is the same. I think the most surprising thing is what hat I will wear each day,” she said. “Really, learning and supporting the business and the leaders, that’s probably the most interesting part of my role.”
Brown counts the VPCC experience as an important part of her journey. It afforded pathway exploration, networking opportunities and a solid education. Early exposure to technology made her comfortable with today’s systems. She highly recommends community college as a starting point, especially for “young adults” uncertain about their future.
“I think it builds a solid foundation and opens a lot of doors. Once you’ve finished that two-year program,” she stated, “you’ve proven that you can commit to something, that you can finish it.
“You build on that in your next step, going to a four-year university. I also think it’s a great financial decision. You’re able to save money… it prepares you for those next steps in life,” she added.
Outside of work, the Hampton resident stays active as an avid runner and hiker, having volunteered with Youth Sail Virginia, and currently serving as an ambassador for Girls Who Hike Virginia. She is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Peninsula SHRM.
As for what motivates and keeps Brown going, it’s family. She and her husband Gordon, of 27 years, are the parents of two. She’s grateful for their support and the lifelong encouragement from her father, late mother, and grandparents.
Brown proudly admits she learned from experience not to limit herself.
“There are so many opportunities out there. Anything is possible,” she said.
