William Brown is Chief Conservator of the Art Conservation Center (ACC) of the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) where he is responsible the long-term preservation of the collection and the development of preventive collections care strategies. He is a leader in the field of art preservation and an expert in the treatment of Old Master Paintings. His paper on the treatment of the "Winter Scene" by 17th century Dutch painter Esaias Van de Velde demonstrated his understanding of the complex relationship between the artist’s intent and the inevitable changes paintings go through due to materials degradation and the changing tastes of the day. He came to the NCMA in 1988 to complete his internship requirement for a M.A. and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Conservation, State University College at Buffalo, NY. He received his diploma in 1989 and continued with the NCMA first as an assistant conservator then as associate conservator before his promotion to chief conservator in 2001. He is a Professional Associate, American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works serves on the Paintings Committee of the International Council of Museums.