Dick Brown was born and raised in Ottawa.  He attended Fisher Park High School and then Carleton University.

After one year of teaching high school, Dick returned to Carleton as an employee where he remained until he retired in 1999. Dick served as Assistant Dean of Students, Coach of the Raven Basketball team, Director of Student Housing and Food Services, and Human Resources.

Following his retirement, Dick joined the Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association (OGHA) in 2001 as their first President. In this role he helped establish the very successful Destination Marketing Fee program which provides vital support to Ottawa’s tourism industry. He retired again and was quickly recruited to the role of interim President of Ottawa Tourism pending the appointment of a full time President.

Dick has been, and remains, active in both business and community service activities. He joined the Board of the Airport Authority in 2016 as an Ottawa Tourism nominee and serves on the Governance and Human Resources Compensation committees. He has also served as President of the Family Service Centre of Ottawa/Carleton, President of the Boys and Girls Club, Board member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Shaw Centre.

Dick and his wife Heather are enthusiastic canoe trippers, cross country skiers and cyclists.  Holidays are often spent cycling or hiking in European destinations.