David R. Brown, an administrator and consultant with experience in education, the arts and communication, has been appointed executive director of Descanso Gardens.  Mr. Brown, who is currently the president of The Oxbow School in Napa, California, will begin his work with Descanso on July 18.
            Mr. Brown became well known in Southern California and in the national arts community during 14 years as president and chief executive officer of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
            With his wife, Judith Lee, Mr. Brown attended Descanso’s annual fund-raising dinner Saturday, June 4, and was introduced by Amy Lamb, chairman of the Descanso Gardens Board of Trustees.  
            Speaking earlier about the appointment, Mrs. Lamb pointed to Mr. Brown’s successes in a variety of positions, his skills as a strategic planner and his appreciation of a mission-based organization.
            "Our board and staff are delighted to welcome a man of David Brown’s reputation and vision," said Mrs. Lamb.  "The range of experience and expertise he brings is perfectly suited for Descanso as we move into a new era of long-range planning.  We are confident he is the person to help us develop and reach new goals as a premier public botanic garden and as a community resource for natural-science education."
            She also praised the Garden’s senior staff members, led by Director of Development and Interim Executive Director Linda Mitchell, who have managed day-to-day operations of the Gardens during the past year. 
"During our search for an executive director, the Board of Trustees has had the luxury of knowing that business was continuing seamlessly under the direction of this very capable group," she said.  "We can’t begin to tell them how appreciative we are of their efforts and their dedication."
            Mr. Brown agreed.  "The talent and synergy among Descanso Gardens’ board, staff and an amazing volunteer corps is very impressive.  I am really looking forward to working with all of them."
            Mr. Brown, whose career reflects his enthusiasm for new ventures, says Descanso’s position as a museum of living collections and community center of beauty hold special appeal.  Equally attractive — to a man who has spent much of his career in education administration — is the Gardens’ mission emphasis on education for, and outreach to, people of all ages.
            "A public garden, as much as anything I can think of, truly can offer something special to everybody. The beauty of nature, and programs that broaden its appeal in many different ways, are important to anyone who visits.  Descanso does such a fine job, both in maintaining a spectacular landscape and in developing creative programs that share it with the community.  Looking toward the future, the possibilities are exciting," Mr. Brown said recently.
            David Brown is a graduate of Dartmouth College and holds a masters degree from Trinity College. He also is a graduate of the Tuck Executive Program, Dartmouth College. He began his career in New York as a writer. He served as an account executive in a financial public relations firm, a partner in a graphic design firm and as an independent freelance writer and consultant. He has written articles, books, copy, advertising, promotion, annual reports, speeches and film for a wide range of clients.  In 1977 he was recruited to join one of his clients, Champion International Corporation, a Fortune

500 paper products company in Stamford, CT.  There he served as director of creative services and vice president of communications until 1985, when he began his work with the Art Center College of Design.
          During his presidency of that highly regarded Pasadena institution (1985-1999) the college expanded programs and facilities, broadened the curriculum, launched technology initiatives for which it has become renowned, and increased scholarships, contributions and the permanent endowment.
            In 2003, while conulting with Pasadena-based Arroyo Partners, Mr. Brown was recruited by clients to serve as the first president of The Oxbow School. While there, he continued consulting engagements with several clients such as the University of Southern California and the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.  
            Over the years, Mr. Brown has been active in a number of design-related organizations such as the Design Management Institute and the Corporate Design Foundation.  He has served as the national president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the nation's leading membership organization dedicated to the advancement of the graphic design profession, and currently is a trustee-at-large of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design.  Locally, he has served as a trustee of the Chandler School and, since 1993, of the Westridge School, where he was board president 2002-2004.
 
 
Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, near the interchange of the #2 and #210 freeways. The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Parking is free. Admission fees are $7 for adults; $5 for seniors and students; $2 for children 5 to 12, and free for members and children 5 and younger.  Fees for classes and programs include Gardens admission. For information call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.DescansoGardens.org.