For Love of Country: Reginald M. Browne

When speaking with Upper Makefield Township resident Reginald M. Browne about his love of country and strong sense of patriotism, one is immediately captivated by his dynamic personality and knowledge of America’s rich history. With those patriotic attributes, it’s understandable why he was chosen by federal officials to have the lifelong position of commissioner for the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, known as America250.

Born and bred in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States, and currently residing in Upper Makefield Township, which is rich in Revolutionary War history, it’s no wonder Browne is immensely passionate about what America stands for. He also feels that the nation’s 250th anniversary is the perfect opportunity for the country to unite in this celebration.

“I’m patriotic, and I believe in all things we believe in as a nation,” he says. “Are we perfect? No. Do we have some really tough history as a nation? We sure do. But we evolve. It’s the grit of who we are that keeps me going, and I get to emulate that through the work we’re doing. Even with political differences, if just for a moment we can come together and celebrate who we are as a nation, I think the commission has achieved a great thing, and that’s why I’m involved.”

A Strong Choice

Browne’s leadership skills in the financial sector were one of the reasons he was recognized as a prime candidate to help contribute to America250’s success. He majored in finance at LaSalle University and always had an interest in trading securities. With decades of experience in the financial industry, he is a world-renowned high-profile leader in the capital markets. As a partner in the firm GTS Securities, he helps asset managers create and launch investment products for institutional retail clients, and those products are usually exchange-traded funds. His company is a member of the New York Stock Exchange and has offices in New York and Florida.

“It’s fascinating from the perspective of helping individual investors access the stock market and express investment views and growing the industry,” he says. “I’ve been part of the growth of the industry for the past 30 years. I was very early in that, and it’s been an interesting ride that has never ceased to be amazing.”

In addition to his influential role in the financial world, Browne has been extremely active on a variety of boards, including the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia; the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey; and LaSalle University in Philadelphia.

With both private and public experience, he was approached to be a commissioner for America250 by Democratic New Jersey congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. He was officially nominated by the Democratic leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, congressman Hakeem Jeffries, in 2023. Browne says it’s an honor to serve his country in this manner and believes he was given this lifetime appointment because he is civic-minded and community-oriented.

“A lot of my professional and personal activities suggested I had an interest in community, leadership skills, and the ability to talk to a range of people and get things done,” he says. “My role in the commission is helping to plan and approve activities that the commission puts on coast to coast, in addition to U.S. territories, to celebrate the United States. I’ve been very helpful in raising money, telling the story, and being a participant in activities representing the commission.”

Time to Celebrate

With such a huge milestone nearing, many organizations are involved in programming at every level of government: Bucks250 is focused on Bucks County, serving those who live in Upper Makefield Township and surrounding areas; America250PA covers the state; and America250 oversees federal initiatives. The America250 legislation was signed into law during the Obama administration and has remained active through four administrations. The commission is bipartisan with eight Democrats and eight Republicans from both private and public sectors.

All three organizations come together once a year in Washington, D.C., to share what they are working on and discuss ideas. “Everyone has the commitment that we want to do right by the United States and the American people,” Browne says. “There is no bickering, no challenges on the view, and we’re all working toward getting programming out the door that responds to every segment of our nation. That’s been a lot of fun.”

Since taking this position—and especially from January to July of this year—Browne has been living the jet-set lifestyle, representing America250 at events nationwide. In one 24-hour period, he attended the ball drop in Times Square to ring in 2026 with fireworks, and then six hours later was in Pasadena, California, at the Tournament of Roses Parade to see the three eagles on the America250 float. Getting an up-close view of so many unique experiences has been extraordinary.

“One of the initiatives I’m most passionate about is America Waves, where we send tens of thousands of flags for various events nationwide,” he says. “Seeing that symbol of what the United States stands for is one project I’ve had the most fun with. Another one is America’s Field Trip, where kids across the country get to participate in an experience that would be nearly impossible otherwise, like sleeping over in government buildings and helping them understand the power of what we stand for as a nation.”

An exciting America250 happening closer to home is the installation of a time capsule at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. The capsule contains items from all 50 states, territories, and key historical artifacts. It will be buried on July 4 and unearthed in 2276.

There's No Place Like Home

Besides love of country, Browne also has a love for his local community. He moved across the river from Pennington, New Jersey, to Upper Makefield Township in 2010 with his wife and children. He says Upper Makefield Township is the definition of what a great place to live is because of its people, places, safe environment, and natural beauty. “Upper Makefield is really a tight-knit community,” he says. “Everybody knows everybody, and it’s very neighborly. People really care about one another. I feel that even more at this particular moment as we come together to celebrate America’s 250.”

Some of Browne’s favorite aspects of living here are driving up and down River Road, walking along the waterfront at Washington Crossing Historic Park, and grabbing a cup of coffee at Dunkin’. However, he has one treasured tradition. “I love the Washington Crossing Bridge,” he says. “When I drive across it, I own it. I particularly love crossing the bridge on a spring day at 5 a.m. with mist coming up. This is just a magical area.”

Within the walls of his home in Washington Crossing is an extensive art collection. Browne started buying and collecting pieces in 2008 as a search for meaning, an exploration of ideas, and to have a broader definition of what the art brings forward to its viewers. Most of his collection consists of abstract figures, and all of the works are by American artists.

“Artists think differently,” he says. “It’s fun to be around them because of how they think about the world. They see and describe it in an honest way. To be a custodian of their work has been pretty powerful, and it has helped me become a better person. It has also influenced my children to be intellectually curious.”

250 and Beyond

Browne and his fellow commissioners will be visiting numerous locations and taking part in an array of celebratory activities throughout the country from July 2 to July 4. On July 3, Congress will meet at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and Browne will be there, too. Though he’s not quite sure where he will represent America250 on the nation’s anniversary, he hopes to be able to start at Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party in Los Angeles and then fly to Washington, D.C., for the celebration on the National Mall.

As America250 festivities continue throughout 2026, Browne hopes his expertise and ideas will have an impact on future generations. He says that at many events, he has asked people if they are patriotic, and many young people didn’t have an answer. He is hopeful that the commission’s hard work will help people to develop an answer to what it means to be patriotic and why they love their country.

“In 50 years, when the country celebrates its 300th anniversary and a 6-year-old kid today is 56 in 2076, I hope that person will remember an experience from this time period and carry it forward,” Browne says. “That really is the work I’m doing, to capture some kid’s imagination today, and maybe this moment will shape the direction of their love of country in a positive way.”

Dari Kotzker resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001.

Photograph by Jennifer Janikic Photography