Ask Christopher J. Brown what he’s passionate about, and without hesitation he’ll tell you: people and making things happen. For the last decade, this South Jersey native has personified success and he’s done it with the help of great people – from his supportive family to his invaluable employees.

Chris (as he’s known to everyone), is the Chairman of Castle Realty Management, a holding company that houses his insurance, title and real estate companies.
As the President and Founder of Guardian Property & Casualty, Guardian Settlement Agents and an owner of several RE/MAX Connection offices, Chris’ story of success is an inspirational one. He began his company in 1998 as a part-time endeavor while working as Real Estate Manager for a law firm. Initially, Guardian Settlement Agents was supposed to merely supplement other title agents in the area.

But bigger things were in store. “It’s amazing to think that when I started Guardian, I ran things from my bedroom,” laughs Chris. “Now we employ nearly 200 people, which consist of Real Estate, Title and Property & Casualty Insurance professionals as well as our capable administrative staff.”

In just two years, Guardian was a full-time job. They moved into a building in Marlton and in 2004 created the insurance arm of the company – Guardian Property & Casualty. In 2006, Chris branched out into real estate by purchasing a RE/MAX office. The companies – all under Castle Realty Management – function as a one-stop solution for the homebuyer, which in turn saves customers money.

Chris’ vision when starting his company was to provide unparalleled customer service. And to this day it remains his driving force. “It’s how we separate ourselves from the competition,” he says. While the main focus is on his customers, Chris recognizes the importance of happy employees. He recently restructured his company to provide all of his employees better benefits at a lower cost.

Always civic-minded, Chris acquired two rundown historical buildings in Marlton and had them restored. It’s here – on the corner of North Maple Drive and Route 70 – that Guardian calls home. Marlton is also where Chris resides along with Deanna and their three children – Brian, Evan and Jason.

Through all his success, it’s Deanna – his high school sweetheart and business partner – and their children that he considers his biggest achievements. Born and raised in South Jersey, Chris attended Buena Regional High School where he met his future wife, Deanna Fahy-Brown, who has an equally astute mind for business. She holds a Masters Degree in accounting and passed the CPA (all parts) on her first attempt, only 10% of the Country’s have been able to accomplish the same. She served in several executive positions – including Vice President at JP Morgan and an Officer of Commerce Bank, NA – before becoming CFO of Guardian. In her capacity as CFO, Deanna handled all of the accounting for the businesses. Now with three kids to keep her busy, she has a different role. She still stays connected with the business by handling the reconciling of the escrow accounts and business accounts.

Chris marvels at all Deanna manages to accomplish. “She has incredible energy. She’s a terrific business partner and an even better mom.” Chris, the middle of three children, is quick to give credit to his family for his success. His father, Ronald Brown, was a teacher at Shawnee High School for 26 years. He helped launch the South Jersey chapter of DECA, a program that improves education and career opportunities for students. Chris’ mother, Rosemary Halton Brown, worked as an accounting clerk at Whitehall Laboratories in Hammonton. Colleen Salvati, Chris’ older sister owns Maximar Group, a full-service marketing, advertising and public relations firm in Hammonton. His younger sister, Catherine Obszarny is a teacher in the Rumson School District.

In addition to running successful, rapidly growing companies, Chris finds time to contribute to his community. As a prominent businessman, he uses his resources for community outreach and charities, including Toys for Tots and The Ronald McDonald House. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, Brown donated to the relief fund. Chris is deeply involved with Don Tollefson’s youth service organization, One Child Saved. The program helps disadvantaged children in many ways. This year, eight of those children will have a dream come true because of Chris and other donors: Chris accompanied Tollefson and eight children from the organization to the Super Bowl in Miami.

Now the established businessman and long-time Marlton resident is looking to make improvements in his own town. Chris is running for Councilmen at larger on the ticket of Brown McKenna Brown for Evesham’s Future. And the foray into politics is a natural for Chris. The seeds to do public good were planted long ago. Chris earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from The College of New Jersey and a post-graduate legal education from Fairleigh Dickinson University. His charisma and intelligence were so respected that he was elected student government senator – without even running. (He was elected on write-in votes.) Chris’ interest in politics led him to intern for the assembly minority for New Jersey, where he worked in communications.