DAVE BROWNLEE:
 
DAVE BROWNLEE




 
 
 
 
 
Founder and President, Computer Asset Management (C.A.M.) Corp. in Pinckney. Since establishing the image management software and hardware company in 1974, Brownlee has anticipated market changes and led his company through many transformations. C.A.M. originally started as a partner with Ford Motor Credit to provide hardware and software solutions in the IBM mainframe environment. In the 1980s, Brownlee led the company into the compatible IBM market, providing tape and disk sub-systems, mainframe memory and refurbished IBM monitors and peripherals. In the 1990s, C.A.M. began offering products and services from Seiko, HP, IBM, Tektronix and Xerox for the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Recent moves include partnering with a Michigan manufacturer to offer compatible laser toner cartridges; teaming with software developer Augrin Software of Copenhagen, Denmark, to be a U.S. distributor of the EasyCopy software line for the UNIX, Linux and Microsoft Windows platforms and providing help desk functions to users; and being selected by Xerox as one of only 11 firms nationwide to participate in a new sales program. Brownlee received his bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Michigan State University and served in the U.S. Coast Guard as an industrial engineering officer.


WHERE BORN: "Detroit."

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: "My Uncle Dave, who was the first one in my mom’s family to emigrate from Scotland. He came from nothing and started his own successful spring and wire company. And my mother, who instilled the importance of education and perseverance."

LAST BOOK READ: "The Success Principles by Jack Canfield."

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: "Perseverant, persistent, honest, accountable."

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: "The great thing about electronics is that it's always changing. Improved software and hardware allows us to be more competent in a global market. I’m most excited about the green movement. Xerox is working on reusable media, which should help us save some trees."

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: "GPS. I play with it in my car and boat. Google Earth is unbelievable. As an officer in the Coast Guard, I could never take positioning by using a sexton."

FAVORITE PLACE: "Michigan. I’ve traveled a lot in Europe and all over the U.S. and enjoy Michigan the most. The Great Lakes, inland lakes, winter and summer sports, and a diverse population. It’s a great place to hang around."

FAVORITE HOBBIES: "Boating, walking around, visiting historical sites."

FAVORITE FOOD: "Salmon. Grilled, but I will eat it any way."

MY HIDDEN TALENT: "I’m still trying to find them. They’re very hidden."

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: "As being honest, always treating others fairly and being a man of my word."

Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2009, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.