APEX in Profile: Kevin Bremer
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Kevin Bremer
Airplane Systems Senior Skill and Strategy Leader
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Bremer has been at Boeing Commercial Airplanes since 1996. He has served in many roles managing, developing, and integrating new IFE, Connectivity and Cabin Services Systems onto all Boeing production airplanes. He currently serves on the APEX Board of Directors and is co-chair of the Education Committee.
FAST FACTS
Favorite Aircraft: 777
Frequent Flight: SEA to SNA
Best airline industry acronym: FUBAR
Passport stamp you wish you had: Antarctica
Location: SEA
Now Watching: Modern Family – first year to watch it.
IFE Standby: Early Window Content
Years in Industry: 19
The future of flight will be: Amazing
Favorite Airport Restaurant: Anthony’s at Sea-Tac Airport
Paper or electronic boarding pass? Electronic
Something that never ceases to amaze you in your industry?
I am always amazed on how we can install and integrate in upwards of 400 monitors, over 200 line-replaceable units (seat boxes, head end controllers, etc.) loaded with unique software with miles of wiring connecting them together into an airplane, and it works right the first time it’s turned on. That doesn’t happen with one TV at my house!
The career path you considered but never followed?
I wanted to be a doctor, my heart was actually set on it when I was a kid. All that went out the window when I figured out I was red/green color-blind. I turned to math and engineering. In the end, I have an electrical engineering degree from a small school in Washington State.
Describe your next holiday.
I have been fortunate to travel the world, although it has been mostly for work so I have never been able to take my family abroad.
The world has become a small place and I want my kids to experience more culture than what one can gain from traveling through the United States.
In 2013, I took my son to Dubai, Johannesburg and Cape Town. We flew Emirates and he was able to experience the amazing 777 first-class suites and business-class seating. We had an awesome time and I knew we would do another one soon. This July I am going to take the whole family, including my daughter and wife, on a European vacation. We will visit Paris, Nice, Rome and Amsterdam. This will be the first time we are all together outside of North America.
Secret tip to save time at the airport?
Although it’s not so secret, I am not sure I could live without my TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. With the amount of travel I have done, I was an early adopter of both. I can’t tell you how many flights I would have missed without these. Another, of course, is to pack smart. How many times have you been behind someone with water bottles in their luggage? I always do one last search before I head through security.
You wouldn’t be where you are today without:
Airplanes! Growing up in the Seattle area with Boeing in my backyard, airplanes got into my blood. There was always a relative or family friend who worked here and you heard about them being around the airplanes and working on new designs. Being fortunate enough to work here after I graduated has been a great experience.
The game you’re best at?
Texas Hold’em is my favorite, but I have been on a Candy Crush kick for a few weeks now. My kids just crack up at me. Last week I was on a flight and almost everyone in first class was playing it on their device, I just had to laugh…
Favorite APEX conference of all time?
That is a tough one, my first conference was in Brisbane in 2001 and I haven’t missed one since. Toronto and Miami would be on my shortlist; they both were at a time when our industry was still rebuilding and connectivity was on the rise.
First travel memory?
A flight from Seattle to California in the 1970s. I recall sitting in the back of the airplane with people smoking around me. Interesting times back then, I couldn’t imagine the plane full of cigarette smoke today.
Two things that you miss most about home when you’re traveling?
Bed and pillow! When I have room in my travel bag, I actually bring my pillow with me on trips.
Unhealthy food that you will never stop eating?
I am certain there isn’t an ice cream I have met that I didn’t like. J I go through phases where I try to stop, but it’s no use.
What does your typical work day look like?
6 a.m. – meeting
7 a.m. – meeting
8 a.m. – meeting
9 a.m. – meeting
10 a.m. – meeting
11 a.m. – meeting
and so on…
You get the point. There is so much integration that has to happen in our industry, it’s nonstop coordination.