MARK Browning
30 | Stone & Browning Property Management | Owner
Residence: Montpelier
Career highlight(s): The career highlight I'm most proud of is being able to look back over the past 7 years, and directly see the fruits of our labor in reference to the quality and standards of housing in Central Vermont and beyond. 
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes sitting on the board of the Barre Area Development which helps with stimulating economic growth in Barre. I also sit on the board of Freezing Fun for Families, an organization that helps families in Vermont battling childhood cancer. This year we hosted a charity event that raised over $30,000. These funds will directly go to families in Vermont 
with children who have cancer.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I was motivated to live and work in Vermont by purely my love for this state. The Vermont community is something that nothing else compares to.
Favorite part of your job: My favorite part of my job is being able to provide quality housing around the state and offer a unique and enjoyable renting experience. I also love that we have built a team that is as passionate about their jobs as I am.
Most inspiring mentor and why: My most inspiring mentor is my business partner Reuben. We make an incredible team that really compliments each other.
What is the best career advice you have received? The best career advice I have received is it is OK to make mistakes. It is not failure, it is experience. If you fail, you fail forward.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: Few people know that I saved my dads life when I was 12 and was awarded a "Hometown Hero Award" from the American Red Cross
What three words best describe you: Three words that best describe me are personable, comical, and empathetic.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is Three Penny Taproom.
Favorite downtime activity: My favorite downtime activity is playing guitar and making music with my wife.
Favorite Super Hero and why: My favorite super hero is Tony the Tiger. Just kidding, it's my dad. He's Grrrreaaattt!!
Favorite Social Media and why: My favorite social media is Tik Tok! Not ashamed at all to admit it.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: The person I'd most like to share a Vermont beverage with is Jon Fishman.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: The cause I would support would be Freezing Fun for Families. A local Vermont non-profit that helps families in Vermont battling childhood cancer. Something I am very passionate about.
What is the one song on your playlist that are you embarrassed to tell your best friend? The song on my playlist I would be embarrassed to tell my best friend is I wanna dance with somebody, Whitney Houston. Although not really embarrassed, I love me some Whitney.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? In the next 5-10 years I'd like to see our real estate investment company grow into other markets as well as have our management company continue to provide a great place to work for our existing team.
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years? The career goals I'd like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years are purchasing Real Estate in other states and establishing management teams at each location.
How has your community service changed since the pandemic? My community service during the pandemic has changed mainly in the way I think. The pandemic has been a rough go for everyone. Being a small business owner I see that. At the end of the day, we are all human, be nice to everyone as you don't know what they might be going through. Spread the love.
How has your job changed since this pandemic? During the pandemic, my job has changed by magnifying the problem and challenges with housing being in high demand. We have a lack of housing in this state and country. There needs to be large strides taken to work towards offering more affordable housing.