What It’s Like Being the Guy Who Revolutionized the Ford Bronco
CONVENTIONAL WISDOM SAYS don’t mess with the classics, but Ed Krenz did anyway. He’s the chief engineer for the new Ford Bronco. Since its 2021 return to the market after a 25-year hiatus, the vehicle has claimed some major awards. Here’s how the head of an engineering team of hundreds manages life and high-profile projects.
5:45 AM
Alarm Goes Off
I am not a morning person, so my a.m. routine minimizes effort. It’s no more complex than feeding the dogs, grabbing coffee, and throwing on The Late Kick with Josh Pate (a football podcast) en route to work. I don’t typically eat until late morning.
7:00 AM
Review the Plan
My job requires me to always be learning, coaching, directing, and decision making. I’m not stressed by this. What does cause me stress is lack of preparation or not meeting my personal standards for quality of work. The countermeasure is the preparation I’ve done the night before. Each morning, I refresh myself on that prep before moving into my tasks.
8:00 AM
Pick the Mood
Negative energy is draining, so listening to upbeat music to start the day—and through it—helps make a day great. Anything from Hans Zimmer to the Lumineers to hip-hop is fair game.
12:00 PM
Delegate
There are always frustrating moments that seem to pop out of nowhere. The keys to taking control of them are planning ahead, so you don’t accidentally double or triple book your time, and delegating tasks, so you’re not stuck feeling like there’s no time to think, eat, or stretch.
2:00 PM
Power Up
My midday energy levels can be tricky. Simple things help, such as moving around and eating a proper lunch. But I generally rely on an energy drink and a pre-workout supplement to keep my performance and focus high.
4:00 PM: Put it in Drive
A great day involves enjoying the fruits of the labor. In my case, that means taking one of our Ford performance vehicles for a spin when I get the chance.
6:00 PM: Hit the Court
Exercise mitigates stress and anxiety. As a highly competitive person, whenever I can work competition into a workout, it’s a win-win. To do that, I play competitive tennis several times a week. I also regularly weight train and do yoga. Then I head home for dinner with my wife.
9:00 PM: Prep
I dedicate an hour of my night to tying up loose ends and doing the all important preparation for the next day.
10:30 PM: Hit the Hay
Lack of sleep is not sustainable for me. I need seven or more hours to perform at my best, with some additional on weekends. I ease my way into it with theTV as a backdrop(usually whatever my wife wants to watch).
A version of this article originally appeared in the March/April 2024 issue of Men's Health.
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