NATION

Martin S. Brown resigned as vice chairman of Brown-Forman Corp. in a dispute over centralization of the distilling company, whose alcoholic beverages range from Jack Daniel whiskey to California Cooler.

Brown, who was based at the headquarters of the Jack Daniel division in Nashville, joined the company in 1962, became vice president in 1965, senior vice president in 1969, president in 1973 and chief executive in 1977. He was made vice chairman of the board in 1984. He also headed up Brown-Forman’s market-research department, its barrel-making plant, the Blue Grass Cooperage Co., Brown-Forman Media Service and its export operation.

No successor was announced, and neither the company nor Brown had additional comment beyond the brief announcement issued at corporate headquarters in Louisville, Ky.