CERV proudly celebrates Sean Brownlee, a dedicated board member and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, for receiving the Middlebury Institute of International Studies Alumni Volunteer Service Award. The recognition honors his leadership, entrepreneurship, and lifelong commitment to strengthening communities through service and innovation.
Brownlee, who earned his MBA from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS) in 2011, returned to his alma mater to accept the award alongside other distinguished alumni. The Alumni Achievement Awards program, launched in 2011, highlights graduates who exemplify professional excellence, volunteer service, and global engagement, values that are also at the core of CERV’s mission.
Service Beyond the Uniform
A Special Operations U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Sean Brownlee served in Cuba, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout the Middle East and Europe. During his 25 years of service, he held key leadership roles including Senior Enlisted Advisor for the West Coast Readiness Support Program, ensuring force readiness during national emergencies, and Foreign Area Officer, advising senior military leaders on international operations and cultural strategy.
Following his military career, Sean transitioned his leadership and global experience into entrepreneurship, launching several international retail ventures and founding Ravenox, a U.S.-based manufacturing company focused on sustainable rope and cordage products.
2019 Alumni Achievement Award Recipients with President Laurie Patton and Dean Jeff Dayton-Johnson
Building Businesses and Empowering Communities
Sean’s work in both the public and private sectors reflects his deep belief in service through action. His post-military ventures were inspired by his experience supporting global entrepreneurs through the Frontier Market Scout program at MIIS. This initiative helped shape his commitment to sustainable business development and veteran empowerment.
As the founder of Ravenox, Sean has been recognized by the National Retail Federation, Amazon, and Silicon Valley business organizations for his advocacy on behalf of small businesses and veteran entrepreneurs. His work on Capitol Hill has contributed to national discussions around fair trade, sustainability, and the future of U.S. manufacturing.
Supporting CERV and Local Resilience
Today, Sean continues to serve his community as a CERV Advisory Board Member, helping to advance emergency preparedness, disaster response, and community resilience across Monterey County. His leadership and mentorship extend to assisting victims of fires and disasters throughout California and supporting student innovation at MIIS through mentorship and entrepreneurship programs.
“Volunteering is central to CERV’s mission and to my own,” said Brownlee. “Service, whether in uniform, business, or community, is about building resilience and helping others thrive.”
CERV is proud to have leaders like Sean who embody our values of readiness, inclusivity, and compassion.
To learn more about Sean’s continuing work in leadership, entrepreneurship, and veteran advocacy, visit his official site:
👉 www.seanbrownlee.com
