Getting to know the Kingdom Man of the Month for October: Brian Keene
What a great honor to be considered for this special recognition.
As a matter of introduction, I grew up in West Islip, NY. My Father was a WII veteran in the Air Force and a great dad. I have wonderful memories working with him on various hobby projects. He was patient, kind, and could fix just about anything. My mother was a first generation German immigrant and they met after the war was over. They raised my two sisters and I out in the suburbs of Long Island. Dad later worked as a Yacht salesman and I have great memories of boating on the waters of the Great South Bay, showing off these awesome yachts to prospective customers. I also developed my love for aviation from my Dad. After the war, he joined a flying club and frequently took me up and let me fly, even though I had to sit on several cushions to reach the steering wheel and rudder pedals! I later earned my own Commercial pilot ratings that I still hold today.
My early years were lots of fun. I had great friends and we were all entrepreneurs. We would spend hours thinking about ways to make money. For example, we bought a boat and equipment, and began harvesting clams on the Bay and it became a full time job every summer. My Mom encouraged us to attend the Lutheran Church. I was confirmed there but didn't really have a personal relationship with Christ. It just seemed like the right thing to do.
I continued to develop my love for aviation and would often travel to New York's Kennedy airport and spend hours watching the big "Jumbo's" as they arrived from all over the world. I began to dream of working for an airline and traveling the world.
My love for all things aviation directed me to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Airport/ Airline Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fl. While the college met my educational goals, it seemed to put me at odds with my faith journey. It was there, amidst the parties, and temptations that befall many college students, that I began to seriously consider my purpose in life and tested the strength of my faith. Thankfully, my oldest sister, already a Christian, continued to love me into the Kingdom and in 1978, I was overwhelmed with the desire to accept Christ as my Savior and renew by commitment to follow Him. I was baptized, professed my faith in front of the Church congregation, and began living my life in a way that would be pleasing to Him. Of course, challenges always come when you make such a big decision, but God protected me.
In 1979, I was hired by Pan American World Airways, and my airline career took off. From Pan Am, I moved to PEOPLExpress Airlines, and then on to Continental Airlines (Soon to be United Airlines) as a Director of Airport Services. I have the good fortune to lead over 300 employees. It is hard to believe, but I have racked up over 30 years in the airline business and I have loved every minute of it. True to my dreams, I have been able to travel all over the globe, first on my own, and later with my family.
It was in 1983, I met a drop dead gorgeous Customer Service Representative named Brenda MacDonald. She was also a Christian (yea!) and was involved with one of the bible studies I led for Fellowship for Christian Airline Personnel. We were kissing friends for a while, got engaged, and were married in 1985. We just celebrated our 25 year wedding anniversary last month.
Soon to follow were three beautiful kids, Brandon, currently 22 and an Officer in the Air Force, Ryan, a college sophomore studying IT, and Shannon, a High School Senior ready to take on the college world.
My church involvement really started early into our marriage. We became members of a Baptist Church in New Jersey, where I served as a Deacon. As I progressed in my career, we moved to new churches and residences in Virginia and Maryland before settling in Orlando. By the time we arrived in Orlando, we were expert church shoppers. We really yearned for a church home that we could grow up in. Without question, both our hearts settled unanimously on University Presbyterian Church in 1995! Since then, we have watched both the church and our faith grow over these years. You have afforded me the privilege of serving as a church Deacon and Elder, and it has been exciting to have a front row seat to what God is doing in us and around us!!
Throughout my life, one of my mottos has been "Don't give up". I think Jesus taught us this lesson throughout His life. I truly believe that everything in our lives becomes enriched if we adopt that way of thinking. Often, we must press on during difficult times even when we feel like giving up. If we succeed to push through the obstacles, we often see the true blessings that God has prepared for us.
#1: If you could be in a rock band, which band would you play in and why?
The Beatles. They were the first, most diverse, and popular Rock band of our century. They will be remembered for a long time because they really changed the world of music. John, Paul, Brian, George, and Ringo has a nice ring to it!!
#2: Would you rather ride a bull in a rodeo or wrestle against a sumo wrestler? Why?
A Bull ride sounds exciting. I think I could handle it for at least a minute! Now, a big sumo wrestler landing on top of me doesn't sound like much fun.
#3: If you were fighting in a war, other than Jesus, who would you want to be right next to you in the trenches? Why?
My wife, Brenda. She is the hardest worker I know and will always give 110% in every situation.