The History of the Irwin Brown Company

Mr. Irwin Brown arrived in New Orleans with his family in the late 1950's representing an old line New York customs broker/freight forwarder, Dorf International. In August of 1962, he secured his broker's license from the U.S. Treasury Department. Six years later, he went into business for himself and the Irwin Brown Company was born.
 
In 1974 Mr. Brown purchased a French Quarter town house which had been converted to apartments, renovating the ground floor for office purposes. Before having an opportunity to move into the new quarters, Mr. Brown passed away. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Brown's widow, Sandra, took control of the firm and oversaw the move into the new quarters.
 
In the spring of the following year, Mrs. Brown's brother, Sheldon Bernstein, joined the firm, as did John T. Hyatt. Mrs. Brown retired in 1989; upon her retirement, Mr. Bernstein purchased the company. Then next year, Howard Brown, Irwin Brown's son, joined the company and established the Air Division.