From prison to purpose: ECTC grad fuels education into transformation
Before enrolling in the Advanced Manufacturing program at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, David Browne’s life was marked by hardship and incarceration. Dropping out of school after the eighth grade, he entered a cycle of crime and addiction that led to multiple prison sentences, starting at age 17.
“I was in and out of prison and couldn’t take a sober breath” he recalled. “I didn’t think I had a future.”
A turning point came when he saw a board advertising career fields in trades, including industrial electricity. The promise of a stable income sparked a new vision.
“I saw that industrial electricians could make $60,000 a year. That seemed like a novice idea,” he said.
With courage and humility, he approached Program Director Tim Cordova and laid his story bare – the struggles, the setbacks, and the mistakes of his past. Instead of judgment, he was met with genuine encouragement and a life-changing opportunity, proving that his background did not define his future.
Despite initial setbacks – including a relapse and further legal trouble – he persisted. After his final prison sentence in 2013, he committed to change. With support from recovery programs and community sponsors, he enrolled at ECTC and began rebuilding his life.
“I had children, and they weren’t doing well. I knew I had to do something different,” he said.
He completed the Industrial Electrician program in 2015, followed by a degree in Industrial Maintenance in 2017. His maintenance career flourished, leading to roles at Akebono, Modern Plating and Gates Corporation where he rose to maintenance team leader. Seeking further growth, he earned a degree in Engineering Management from Western Kentucky University and now works as an engineer at Metalsa.
David spends his free time as a fully present father, dedicated to providing for his children and being actively involved in their lives. He has coached youth sports, created lasting memories through family vacations, and focused on teaching his children valuable life lessons. Beyond family, David is a passionate bowhunter, even experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hunt on the plains of Africa. He is also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and makes it a tradition to travel to Pittsburgh each year to attend an NFL game.
David’s impact reaches far beyond his career, however. In the 12 years since getting sober, he has become a lifeline for men walking the same road he once traveled. Through the 12-step program – a fellowship built on honesty, accountability and spiritual growth – he has sponsored hundreds of men in recovery. Whether in church basements, treatment centers or correctional facilities, he shows up to share his story and guide others through the steps, offering them the same hope and direction that once saved his own life.
“My passion is working with other alcoholics and addicts,” he said. “Recovery gave me my life back, so I give back by pouring everything I have into it. I stay active, I stay accountable, and I try to give 100 percent every single day.”
Currently pursuing a master’s degree, he plans to launch a recovery program called “Walking the Walk Recovery” aimed at providing outpatient support and hope to others facing similar struggles. His journey is a testament to resilience, community support, and the transformative power of education.
“The pain to change has to be greater than the necessity to remain the same,” he said – a mantra that now guides his life and inspires others.
