From a young age, a Cessna was a regular part of Bill’s life, his dad’s way to get from A to B. The family plane was a tool to support the family businesses. Bill was encouraged to learn to fly for practical purposes – not as a hobby or passion.
A glider ride 30 years ago changed his life. “Discovering that soaring is about the journey, not the destination, opened my eyes to an entire new world of aviation,” Bill says. That ride led to his mastery of gliders and competing in soaring contests.
“Eventually, I migrated back to power flight simply for the joy of flying,” Bill says.
Bill’s early career started in a family business, Brine Inc. In 1986 he left to start the sports equipment brand, Cascade. As Founder and CEO, he led the company from an early start-up to a dominant player in the lacrosse equipment market, exiting in 2012 after its acquisition by Bauer. Bill is the holder of over 30 patents and has a passion for finding elegant solutions to challenges. When not working with start-ups, he’s usually exploring on one of his daily drivers, a Pivot Mach 6 mountain bike, Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, and a Cessna Skywagon.
A native New Englander with two grown children, Bill and his wife, Joanne, live on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts.
“Flying is often just a way to get from A to B when you live on an island,” Bill says. Be assured Bill has a huge smile during the entire trip from A to B and back.
508-397-5254
bbrine@theraf.org
BILL BRINE
Director
A series of airplanes have served the McKenna family pleasure trips as well as John’s New York Life Insurance practice that has spanned 37 years. John’s wife Trish also flies and enjoys her Cub. They have three children who consider the airplane the family station wagon-it’s just “how you get there.”
The McKenna’s have enjoyed living in Bozeman since 1972, where a person can own their own airstrip in Big Sky Country and truly live the aviation dream. John and Trish characterize the backcountry pilot-they will pass on the fancy lunch, pressed slacks and shined shoes at the country club for the backcountry with tent, sleeping bags, well-worn hiking boots and a few groceries… and the dog.
John’s family also characterizes the spirit of volunteerism. In addition to serving long hours for no monetary reward as chairman of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, John and his family are passionate supporters of Special Olympics. His involvement with that organization provided relevant background for the formation of the RAF. It was this match of this passion for aviation-and his inability to wait for someone else to do it-that provided the momentum to form the RAF.
With a full tank of energy John looks forward to seeing where this flight will take him.
“It is the best journey I’ve experienced so far,” John says.
A series of airplanes have served the McKenna family pleasure trips as well as John’s New York Life Insurance practice that has spanned 37 years. John’s wife Trish also flies and enjoys her Cub. They have three children who consider the airplane the family station wagon-it’s just “how you get there.”
The McKenna’s have enjoyed living in Bozeman since 1972, where a person can own their own airstrip in Big Sky Country and truly live the aviation dream. John and Trish characterize the backcountry pilot-they will pass on the fancy lunch, pressed slacks and shined shoes at the country club for the backcountry with tent, sleeping bags, well-worn hiking boots and a few groceries… and the dog.
John’s family also characterizes the spirit of volunteerism. In addition to serving long hours for no monetary reward as chairman of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, John and his family are passionate supporters of Special Olympics. His involvement with that organization provided relevant background for the formation of the RAF. It was this match of this passion for aviation-and his inability to wait for someone else to do it-that provided the momentum to form the RAF.
With a full tank of energy John looks forward to seeing where this flight will take him.
“It is the best journey I’ve experienced so far,” John says.
