The Norwich Events Organization proudly announces Kevin Brown, President and Executive Director of the Norwich Community Development Corporation (NCDC), as the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Norwich St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Kevin’s heritage and connection to Norwich run deep. Both his father and mother attended Norwich Free Academy, with Irish immigrants on both sides of the family. His father, Michael J. Brown Jr, was the son of Michael J. Brown who worked at Norwich Gas & Electric, now known as NPU. Kevin proudly displays a photo in his office of his grandfather hanging street lights that are still in our downtown. Kevin’s great-grandfather, John Browne, immigrated along with his wife, Mary Rafferty, in the mid-1880s from County Clare and settled a family of 12 in a small home on 3rd Street in Greeneville. At one point, 8 members of that household worked in the Ponemah and Capehart Mills.

On his mother’s side, Kevin’s Mohegan Tribal family famously deeded the “Nine-Mile Square”to the Mason, Fitch and Leffingwell families that would become Norwich in 1659. His Mohegan family intermixed with Irish ancestry when his great-grandfather, Burrill Fielding, Chief of the Mohegans until 1952, married Anne Teevan, who also immigrated from Ireland in the mid-1880s.

Kevin Brown brings distinguished leadership and a deep personal commitment to community revitalization. A retired U.S. Army Colonel with 24 years of service, Brown graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree and earned a Master of Science from the Naval Postgraduate School, along with a master’s in arts from Norwich University in Public Diplomacy. He served in key roles during combat operations, including Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and others, demonstrating courage and strategic vision.

Following his military career, Brown served as Chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council, overseeing significant expansions in gaming and nongaming ventures. Since joining NCDC in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he has driven remarkable economic progress in Norwich. Under his leadership, NCDC has supported seven major development projects exceeding $78 million in investment, creating hundreds of jobs and activating over 460,000 square feet of commercial space with an impressive 6:1 private-to-public funding ratio. Additionally, initiatives have established several new small businesses, generated more jobs and revitalized dormant downtown spaces. Kevin is also currently serving as Chair of the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer), and serves on the Otis Library Board of Trustees, and the Warrior Bonfire Program Board of Directors. In recognition of his impactful work, Brown received the Member of the Year award from the Connecticut Economic Development Association (CEDA) in 2025. He was also inducted into the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame in 2018 for his military and community contributions.

The 2026 Norwich St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 8, with the parade step off at 1:00 p.m. in downtown Norwich. The parade will feature marching bands, Irish dancers, floats, and community groups, bringing festive energy to the historic district.