After graduating from Bamberg Highschool in 1965, USC Salkehatchie gave Dan Brown the opportunity to attend a major university (at that time for only $300). After two years, Brown transferred to the Columbia campus, where he served as a student assistant at both the Caroliniana and McKissick Library systems. Brown went on to serve in the Army before going back to school to earn his MBA.

Brown retired after serving as Senior Vice President of Business Banking in NC and SC with Wachovia Bank. He returned to work for the SCANA Corporation, where he has served as Director of Corporate Credit for the last 15 years.