He was engaged in the steel industry after graduation. During the First World War, Brooks served in the Quartermaster Division in Washington, D.C., purchasing steel products for the Army. After the war he returned to Sewickley, and continued in the steel industry. He later established his own business as a distributor of railway supplies and steel products.
He served as assistant director of aviation for Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, from 1940 to 1948, and as manager of Allegheny County Airport from 1949 to 1956. He died in Sewickley, aged 71, and is buried in Sewickley Cemetery.