In 2000 Brien earned and received his Certified Clockmakers certificate from the American Watchmakers- Clockmakers Institute (AWCI) and in 2005 was awarded the title of AWCI 21st Century Certified Clockmaker.

In 2003 Brien was appointed to the Education Committee of the AWCI and assisted in the draft of the 21st Century standards for clockmakers. In addition to this committee he has served 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.

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.