The IST Magazine team is proud to announce the addition of Tony Brown as Director of Sun is Life Training and Certification.
Tony Brown joined Sun is Life in January, 2013. As the educational program’s director, Brown brings a vast wealth of academic, industrial and political experience to his position. His goal is to help spread the program’s message of moderate tanning and salon operator professionalism, a standpoint that he – like IST Magazine – believes the indoor tanning industry must embrace in order to remain strong. To date, he’s already trained hundreds of salon professionals in the classroom and online, and looks forward to doing so in the years to come.
As Sun is Life’s director, Brown says his focus is to further the program’s core goal – to change the direction of the industry’s training and education. “I joined the team to utilize my academic experience to help train salon operators on the importance of promoting their services as cosmetic tanning, instead of making medical claims, which continue to place this industry in the crosshairs of regulatory agencies,” said Brown. “I also plan to use my political experience to develop working relationships between the tanning industry, medical societies and regulatory agencies so that we can find common ground to put our energy and efforts into, rather than continuing on the path of polarization.”
Prior to joining Sun is Life, Brown has worked in a variety of sectors – academic, industrial and political – and brings this professional experience with him. “My last occupation was as Health and Safety Director for a chemical manufacturing company that employed more than 1,000 people,” he said. “There, I managed the day-to-day safety operations of the plant and conducted all safety training as it related to chemical handling and processes. I’ve also served as adjunct professor at University of Michigan-Flint, where I taught classes in toxicology, occupational health and safety and other areas related to hazardous materials.” Additionally, Tony has served as an elected official in Michigan for the past eight years – most recently as a Genesee County Commissioner. “I am deeply rooted in politics, and enjoy engaging others in intellectual debate,” he added.
IST Magazine publisher and Sun is Life creator, Vince Lorraine, is proud to have Tony on the team as the program’s Director. “Tony and I met about three years ago through mutual acquaintances in Genesee County politics,” said Vince Lorraine. “I thought he would be the ideal person to direct the Sun is Life training and certification programs because of the vast educational experience he possesses as an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan. We needed someone who has that kind of experience and credibility to help take Sun is Life to the level it deserves to be in our industry.”
After debuting in 2011, tanning salon pros continue to be impressed with Sun is Life’s unique approach to online salon operator training. “Over the years, I’ve personally seen this industry come a long way; but now is the time for all of us to raise the level of professionalism that we project into the marketplace,” Vince Lorraine said. “In order for us to do that, salon staff must change the way they inform clients about tanning, promote responsibility and moderation, and exhibit a professional image within our communities. Sun is Life addresses all these issues while also helping them to become more confident salespeople.”
Sun is Life is an online salon operator training program consisting of 25 user-friendly modules and offers a Guest Experience Medallion (GEM) certificate upon completion. In addition, the Sun is Life Certification course satisfies state tanning facility requirements. For more information, visit sunislifetraining.com and sunislifecertification.com.
