In 2000 Brien earned and received his Certified Clockmakers certificate from the American Watchmakers- Clockmakers Institute (AWCI).

Brien is a graduate of Laurie Penman’s clockmaking course and several specialty courses offered by the AWCI, Mr. Steven Conover and others. These courses include the Atmos Clock by Jaeger LeCoultre and studies of both the deadbeat escapement and platform escapements.

In 2003 Brien was appointed to the Education Committee of the AWCI and has been assisting in the draft of the 21st Century standards for clockmakers. In addition to this committee he is also currently serving on the editorial committee of the Horological Times, the official trade publication of the AWCI. He is a Life member of the AWCI and founder of the Mid-West Horological Society (MWHS) an AWCI affiliate chapter. He also belongs to the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) and many of their local chapters.