Principal Associates
Gail Sturdy Brown, Associate and Owner
Gail brings her experience in problem solving and creativity to every project she touches. As the ingenious leader, she knows that a client expects and deserves economic benefit when Sturdy Associates is engaged. Whether leading brainstorming sessions or problem solving where critical thinking is required, Gail realizes that time is of the essence and the best solution is that which the client wants and needs. She works to understand the problem, grasping comprehensive and sometimes competing economics of the situation facing the client. Gail and her associates lead a customer through a thorough problem or issue identification process to find the solution best meeting the client’s objectives. Gail ensures alternatives are considered in planning and execution.
Gail is a Vassar College graduate. She grew up in a Civil Engineering family, and worked in their family business. She believes in active participation in the community, having started a humane society, served on boards in volunteer organizations, and in church leadership. She has also been active in BSF International for over 30 years. Gail is ready to serve Sturdy Associates’ clients with caring and excellence.
W. Dexter Brown, Associate
Dex is a customer-focused problem solver and project manager. With more than 30 years of general managerial experience, all in specialty chemicals and metals, he brings the judgment of what it takes to deliver exceptional value and knows what drives business to success.
Dex participates in the Association for the Improvement of American Infrastructure (AIAI), being active on the Social Infrastructure, Operating & Maintenance, and Water Committees. He was awarded the 2016 Most Valuable Participant from among 70+ AIAI member companies.
Dex led a subcommittee of the AIAI Social Infrastructure to develop an easy-to-understand “how to” guide for Public Private Partnerships (P3s). Among companies supporting him were Skanska, STV, and WSP/Parsons Brinkerhoff.
Dex worked as CEO of a polyurea coating materials company (Polyize Technologies, Inc), co-founded an industrial biochemical research company (pAromatics, LLC), and was the CEO of a venture capital-funded biochemical company (Draths Corporation). Before that, he was a group vice president in adhesives, specialty polymers, and starches with National Starch & Chemical (now Henkel and Ingredion), and a VP and general manager in industrial gases for what is now Praxair. Earlier in his career, Dex led the electrical steel (amorphous metals) effort for formerly Allied-Signal, now Honeywell.
Dex is a West Point graduate engineer and has an advanced degree in business management from Boston University. He a past member of the board of directors for Tri-Tex Company (a specialty chemical company), the NAM (National Association of Manufacturers, 7 years) and the ASC (Adhesives and Sealant Council, 5 years).