Paul W. Brown
Regent Brown is a Democrat from northern Michigan. He received his B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Michigan and his J.D. degree from Wayne State University.
Regent Brown is a managing partner of eLab Ventures, a venture capital firm headquartered in Michigan with offices in Silicon Valley. Prior to joining the board he taught as a non-tenure track faculty member at the University of Michigan School of Engineering, teaching classes in finance and entrepreneurship. Previously, he was Vice President of Capital Markets at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), under Governor Granholm and Governor Snyder, where he managed the bulk of the state’s $2 billion 21st Century Jobs Fund investment portfolio and developed programs focused on increasing the availability of capital for businesses in Michigan. He has testified before Congress on issues of economic development and access to capital. Prior to joining MEDC, Regent Brown practiced law in the Manhattan office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. He began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge John O’Meara in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Regent Brown serves on the board of several early stage technology companies and Wolverine Mutual Insurance Company. He also serves as board member of the Michigan History Foundation, the Youth Foundation of America, and Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan New Economy Initiative advisory board. He is a past board member of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, the Michigan Venture Capital Association, and the Venture Michigan Fund.
Regent Brown’s wife Nicole is an Emmy nominated actress, from Livonia, they have two children.
Regent Brown was elected to the Board of Regents in 2018, serving as board chair in 2022-‘23. His term expires January 1, 2027.