Meet Ron Brown: The Finisher
Ron’s love for building began at an early age in the inner city of Philadelphia where he was born and raised. He fondly remembers building an elaborate fort in a vacant railroad lot with a makeshift wood burning stove using borrowed tools from his father. Not only did Ron’s father teach him the skills of the trade but he also insisted on perfection and pride in workmanship. It is on this solid foundation that Ron built a reputation as an outstanding craftsman.
Artist, Master Craftsman & General Contractor
After high school Ron attended Temple University on an academic scholarship for business and management, graduating magna cum laude, at the top of his class. Ron began renovating his own home in 1994 in South Jersey where he lived at the time. He simultaneously worked for many years in the white-collar worlds of finance and medicine. Initially his interests in building led him to renovate a couple different homes that he owned and smaller investment properties. As his skills grew so did his reputation. He then began renovating kitchens and bathrooms for friends and family. And, in turn, their friends and family. He gained extensive experience renovating Victorian and early 20th century homes in Philly and South Jersey.
Historic Philly Brownstone Renovation
Before leaving the East Coast Ron completed his largest renovation project at the time – a historic Philly Brownstone. The property was converted into a ground floor optometrist office and clinic and multiple apartments for rent on the second and third floors. The property which had been a haven for homeless people and those addicted to drugs was completely gutted and transformed. Everyone who second-guessed Ron’s decision to keep some of the historic bricks in each of the rooms discovered those same bricks became the focal point of the room. And, ultimately each new rentor confessed that it was their favorite part of the property as evidenced by the properties renting immediately upon completion.
Home Remodels in Bend, Oregon
Ron moved to Bend in 2012 and immediately started renovating homes. He was very drawn to working with reclaimed barn wood in this mountain town. And, early on he found a niche using reclaimed wood in many of his projects. He strives to incorporate reclaimed materials and refurbished elements in all of his practices to lower costs and limit environmental impact..
As a natural and professional communicator Ron regular draws on his extensive experience from working in the white-collar world of finance and medicine. These skills have proven to be most valuable working with many of his clients who live out of the area and need someone capable of communicating with the added factors of time and distance.
He is actively involved in all aspects of his business, and enjoys efficiently taking an idea from start to finish. Ron takes great pride in working closely with homeowners to make their dream renovation an enjoyable experience.
Athletic Pursuits
As an accomplished athlete, Ron is recognized as an IRONMAN Florida Triathlon finisher, 2001 (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run). He has raced on the Iditarod Dogsled trail in the foregrounds of Denali in Alaska during the IDITASPORT ultramarathon. He is also an Outward Bound Alumni, completing a 21 day survival leadership course in Big Bend National Park, Texas, 1992. He dream is to compete in the Mt. Everest Marathon, in Tibet.
Travel & Family
When Ron left the East Coast in 2011 he traveled the country on a year long sojourn visiting 32 states and residing in Yellowstone, Death Valley, Yosemite, Sequoia, and Glacier National Parks where he temporarily quenched his thirst for the Thoreau life. When the year ended he settled in Bend, Oregon and met his beautiful wife Andrea Norris Brown (a motivational speaker and management consultant). Together they started The Finisher General Contracting and Bruneau’s South Philly Cuisine, a popular Bend food cart and catering service. They now have two delightful young boys and a yellow lab named Bozeman.
When Ron is not building, running, or fly-fishing he can be found writing his first book UNLEASHED! an autobiography soon to be published.