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Brown & Wood Mazda

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Wiliam Sherrod Brown moved his family to Greenville in 1929 to establish a dealership. The business was sold during the Depression and in 1932, William became a partner in Brown & White Chevrolet. In March 1936 William Sherrod Brown and his son William Watson Brown, with the financial assistance of Alfred Wood of Vanceboro, opened a Pontiac/Packard dealership. Mr. Wood was repaid, but his name was retained as an expression of gratitude.

In the years to follow, a Cadillac franchise was added, then Isuzu, Jeep, and GMC Truck, Buick, and Mazda. In 1984, Brown & Wood Mazda moved to its present location at 329 Greenville Boulevard, a much larger and more accessible site. Bill and Bob became third generation owners in 1987, and their brother Tom also joined the organization and remains involved in daily operations today! Bob Brown has retired.

In January of 2016, Bill & Tom Brown added a GM & partner, Jeff Stein. Jeff hails from Michigan and San Diego, CA. with over 30 yrs in the automobile world. Jeff & Stephanie Stein have three children including one in car business, and 2 at Liberty University. Jeff handles the day-to-day operations and is an excellent extension of the Brown family with a concentration on customer satisfaction and employee retention. People are what matter the most to Jeff. To quote Jeff, “We want to take this to 100 years in business” (11yrs to go)! Bill, Tom, and Jeff continue to work at the dealership that today features Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Mazda franchises.

Bill and Jane Brown have 2 married children and 4 grandchildren. Bill is a Greenville native while Jane hails from Farmville. Bill is a Vietnam War veteran and graduate of the University of North Carolina; Bill was past chairman of the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association. He spends his free time at his church, the NC Automobile Association, and Pitt Community College. In 2019, he was honored as the North Carolina Dealer of the Year. In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association. This award recognizes a member who embodies the true spirit of a successful entrepreneur, civic leader, and industry stalwart. Bill has served on the boards of the Pitt- Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Pitt County Committee of 100, Greenville Jaycees, Greenville Seim Club, and Coastal Conservation Association -NC. “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help other people get what they want,” Bill says, quoting Zig Ziglar, the late author and motivational speaker. “That is how I have tried to live my life.” When away from Greenville, they enjoy spending time at their coastal home with their children and grandchildren, boating and fishing.

Tom and wife LeAnne have been grounded in the Greenville community their entire lives. They have 2 children, and a grandson on the way! Tom and his family enjoy the beach, boating, fishing and vacationing. Having graduated from ECU, Tom enjoys all ECU athletics but remains a HUGE baseball fan.

Allen Clayton, senior vice president and commercial banker, serves at Brown & Wood Mazda’s banker. Quote from Allen

For more information and to check out the newest models, visit Brown-Wood.net.

Our History

  • 1929: William Sherrod Brown moved his family to Greenville to establish a dealership.
  • 1932: Became a partner in Brown & White Chevrolet after the Depression.
  • 1936: William Sherrod Brown and his son, William Watson Brown, opened a Pontiac/Packard dealership with financial assistance from Alfred Wood of Vanceboro. Though Mr. Wood was repaid, his name was retained as a gesture of gratitude.
  • Following years: Cadillac, Isuzu, Jeep, GMC Truck, Buick, and Mazda franchises were added.
  • 1984: Relocated to the current location at 329 Greenville Boulevard, providing a larger and more accessible site.
  • 1987: Bill and Bob Brown became third-generation owners. Their brother Tom joined and remains active in daily operations (Bob has since retired).
  • 2016: Bill & Tom Brown welcomed Jeff Stein as a GM & partner. Jeff brings over 30 years of auto industry experience and leads day-to-day operations with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and employee retention.

Leadership & Community Involvement

Bill Brown

  • Greenville native, Vietnam War veteran, UNC graduate.
  • Past chairman of the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association.
  • Named North Carolina Dealer of the Year (2019) and awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award (2023) by NCADA.
  • Dedicated to civic leadership, serving on numerous boards including Pitt-Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Pitt County Committee of 100, Greenville Jaycees, and Coastal Conservation Association - NC.
  • Favorite quote: “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help other people get what they want.” – Zig Ziglar

Tom Brown

  • ECU graduate and lifelong Greenville resident.
  • Active supporter of ECU athletics and avid baseball fan.
  • Family-focused, enjoys boating, fishing, and spending time at the beach with his wife LeAnne, their two children, and grandson.

Jeff Stein

  • Partner since 2016, originally from Michigan and San Diego, CA.
  • Over 30 years in the automotive industry.
  • Dedicated to customer satisfaction and employee retention.
  • Married to Stephanie with three children, two attending Liberty University.
People with arms around each other

Our Commitment

Brown & Wood Mazda is more than just a dealership — it’s a family tradition rooted in community, integrity, and service. With a legacy nearing 100 years, the team continues to provide exceptional service and an outstanding selection of Buick, GMC, Cadillac, and Mazda vehicles.

For more information and to view our latest inventory, visit Brown-Wood.net.