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When she started as a temp at Oregon Iron Works Inc. in 1993, Chandra Brown couldn’t have imagined that she eventually would become one of the its leaders. Now the company’s vice president, Brown has helped guide the 66-year-old business toward international success while retaining its rich legacy as a national manufacturing giant.

Born in Chicago in 1968, Brown grew up on the city’s south side with her parents and younger brother. Her parents were open minded and believed in exposing their children to an array of interests, including international travel. Brown continues to travel whenever possible and her favorite locales include Cambodia, Italy and Australia.

Brown earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and an international marketing MBA simultaneously during her four years at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She moved to Oregon in 1993 after falling in love with the Pacific Northwest during a visit.

“I packed up a U-Haul and moved out here without a job,” Brown said.

After her stint as a temp at Oregon Iron Works, Brown quickly moved up the ranks. Early on, she said, it was difficult to get people to take her seriously and respect her knowledge about the industry because she was young. However, Terry Aarnio, the company’s owner and board chair, gave her the opportunity to prove herself.

Today, Brown oversees 400 employees at manufacturing facilities in Clackamas and Vancouver, Wash. She has guided the company’s expansion from hydroelectric, bridge and civil construction to serving national and international customers in the marine, aerospace and nuclear industries as well.

In 2005, Brown launched Oregon Iron Works’ initiative to become the only U.S. manufacturer of modern streetcars.  She established a subsidiary called United Streetcar LLC and serves as its president. United Streetcar builds streetcars for Portland’s system and last year won a contract to provide them for the city of Tucson, Ariz.

In 2007, Oregon Iron Works deepened its niche in the renewable energy sector by producing equipment for Oregon’s burgeoning ocean energy sector. The company manufactured buoys for the state’s first wave energy facility, further cementing Oregon’s role as a leader in sustainability.

While she credits luck for her accomplishments, Brown said relationships and a passion for her work motivate her each day.

“I absolutely love what I do and the people I work with,” she said. “Work can and should be fun. You do it so many hours a day, so it’s important to do something that gives you joy.”

Who was a mentor who helped shape you into the person you are today? What did that person teach you?

“I would have to say my parents. My dad is very business savvy and has an MBA, and my mother has a master’s degree in counseling so she’s incredible with communication and interrelations. I learned from them that part of being a good businessperson is to be a good communicator.”

Tell us something about yourself that most people might not know.

“I play classical piano, and I’m an excellent bocce ball player.”