Keith received his law degree from the University of Texas. In 1962 he became the founder and director of Vail Associates, Inc., the developer of the Vail ski area, now a year-round resort. In 1969 he formed his own firm, Brown Investment Corp., a real estate development, oil and gas exploration and investment management company. He served as director of the Public Service Company of Colorado, the Colorado State Bank, U.S. Leasing Real Estate Trust, Pioneer Airways, National Western Stock Show, and Boys and Girls of America. He became the chairman of Republican National Finance Committee in 1985.Mr. Brown has served as the United States Ambassador to both Denmark and the South African country of Lesothos. Brown was also President of the Council of American Ambassadors and a member of the Advisory Board for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and a member of the Overseas Development Council, all of Washington D.C.