Brotman was born to a Jewish family in Tacoma, Washington, the son of Bernie and Pearl Brotman. His father was an owner of Seattle Knitting Mills and along with his uncles owned a chain of 18 retail stores in Washington and Oregon named Bernie"son
Brotman graduated from the University of Washington in 1964 with a degree in political science and in 1967 with a Juris Doctor He was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity at the University of Washington.
In 1965, the family moved to Seattle. Brotman has been the Chairman of the Board for the company since December 1994, Vice Chairman of Costco Wholesale Corporation since October 1993 and director of the company since its inception in 1983. Brotman is reported to have "extensive knowledge" of Costco and its development.
Brotman has served on the boards of several public companies and according to Businessweek magazine is "connected to 13 board members" and sits on the Board of Directors of the Million-Dollar Roundtable at the United Way of King County.
In addition, he is a past Member of the Board of Seafirst Bank, a Member of the Board of Starbucks and a Trustee at the Seattle Art Museum.
