How a simple process is improving the lives of many – Jeff Brown

For many UNB graduates life after university involves finding a job, a little travel, and maybe settling down and starting a family and a career somewhere. For BBA Class of 1982 member Jeff Brown, all of that held true as well. Except in addition to starting a family and career, Brown is helping countless people in Africa by promoting a simple and low-cost water purification system.

Brown, the president of Pratt Lambert & Brown Insurance, based in Edmonton, Alberta is currently working with Sun Safe Water. Sun Safe Water is a charity that carries out solar water disinfection work in developing nations.

Unsanitary water is one of the biggest problems in Africa and it can lead to numerous diseases and even death. But the water purification system that Brown is promoting can make a huge difference.

The water purification system works by taking 1 litre to 1.5 litre clear plastic PET bottles and filling them with contaminated water. The bottles are then place in the sun on a reflective surface such as galvanized roofing. This enhances the UV reflection and serves to isolate the bottles from contamination on the ground. After a full day under sunny conditions, or two days if it is cloudy, the water is much safer to drink.

How the entire process actually works is complicated; but it involves the destructive power of solar radiation. The solar water disinfection process has been proven in many scientific studies and the results show a dramatic reduction, but not elimination, of enteric disease.

Brown spoke with Connections about his career, his work with the Kenmar Foundation and to reflect back on his time at UNB.

Connections:  Why did you decide to pursue a degree in business?

I’d like to say I had a passionate interest to obtain my business degree and then graduate so I could fulfill my childhood dream of becoming an insurance broker.  However, the truth for most of us in this business is rather prosaic, and my experience is no exception: I fell into the business because my father, Ken Brown, worked his entire life in insurance.  The conversation with Dad went something like this: Me: Gee, what should I take in University and thus determine the entire course of the rest of my life?  Reply: How about Business?  Me: OK. 

I started my career with Wawanesa Mutual Insurance, in Moncton, N.B., working summers.  After graduating I obtained my CMA designation, and worked with KPMG.  Then, I obtained my Fellowship of the Insurance Institute, and now own a national insurance brokerage, headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta.  I explain to people that I found accounting too exciting, so I went into the insurance business.    

Connections: Were you involved in any extra-curricular activities during your time at UNB?

I have fond memories of the Red and Black Revue.  I spent far too much time playing guitar, and we had a band that performed at this venue.  I also remember playing the theme song for Oland beer, during our bi-weekly tours.  I remember skiing in Northern New Brunswick, at Sugarloaf Mountain.  The province of New Brunswick is very beautiful, from mountainous regions in the north, to coastline, to the St. John River valley, to small creeks and lakes.  Occasionally I would try my hand at golf, and I recall the beauty of St. Andrews by-the-Sea’ golf course.   I also recall days spent exploring on foot and wandering through the trees.  Come to think of it, that was when I was looking for my golf balls.  

Connections: What are some of your favourite memories of your time in the faculty of business administration?

For most of my years, I stayed on campus at Harrison House.  I remember many good friends, and the short walk to the business administration building.  I recall my Management Science Professor whose skill at teaching created a strong interest in this area.  I also enjoyed finance.   When we graduated we got to smash brandy glasses in the faculty fireplace.       

Connections: How did your experiences at UNB help you get to where you are today?

It’s a peculiar contrast: when you’re going to school you can’t wait to get out and be done with your studies.  Then, when you’re working, raising a family, paying down the mortgage, and sweating over your business, you’re thinking, gee, maybe stale beer, and waking up with shaved body parts wasn’t that bad.  Or did that just happen to me?

Connections: Why did you decide to develop this water purification plan?

I think most people are caring by nature, but they mistakenly assume that the problems of the world do not have much to do with them, and that some organization or committee will take care of it.  Sadly, this is not the case.  You need to get personally involved because what is important is not just an immediate benefit to the disadvantaged, but a change in our heart, a transformation and renewing of our mind, because we are the world, and who we are, will shape the future.  We must take are responsibility for our fellow man.         

My own experience started when I got sick and tired of seeing endless problems on TV, and solutions that seemed to go nowhere.  I hooked up with a local charity called Africa We Care, and used my university education to develop a comprehensive business plan for a water bottling facility in Nigeria.  We designed cash flows, priced out equipment to be sourced from India, developed schedules for construction and budgets for drilling, labour, materials, maintenance, and everything else to make it a success.  We were going to reinvest the proceeds into micro-enterprise loans, use waste water to irrigate crops, etc.  We raised about $40,000 locally, and the money was transferred to Africa to begin work.  Sadly, every penny was lost due to corruption, and nothing was ever constructed.

This experience drove me to find a strategic solution that would not be susceptible to corruption, that was inexpensive, effective, safe and practical, that did not depend on intensive capital investment, and could not be destroyed by the army, rebels, or other groups.  All of these needs were met by solar water disinfection, which is a simple process of filling pop bottles with contaminated water, and leaving them in the sun to disinfect.  

Connections: Any advice for current or graduating UNB business students?

A good education is essential in being a valued member of society.  No matter what your profession, clear thinking, discipline and knowledge are necessary to performing well, and bringing personal satisfaction and remuneration.  This, in part, creates happiness.  Yet, this knowledge, this learning, is still an accumulation, an addition, to what we already are.
You are much more than simply a bundle of information that the world finds useful.

We are created at birth for a purpose.  Yet, this knowledge of who we truly are often remains unknown.  It is this knowledge, this center that is our heart, and our source of emotion, passion and meaning.   It cannot be taught, it can only be awakened.  It is our deeply personal nature, and it includes a love of mankind.  Yes, get a good job, buy a house, raise kids if you want, but, ultimately, the meaning of your education, and of your life, is to serve that sacred heart.

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