World T.E.A.M. Sports

Currently Resides: Chevy Chase, MD
Hometown: New Canaan, CT
Birthplace: Hartford, CT
Served as: U.S. Envoy to Iraq

“It’s a great privilege to honor the men and women in our armed forces through this unique ride across America.” – Paul Bremer

As a diplomat turned businessman, author, philanthropist and then government official again, Ambassador Paul “Jerry” Bremer is a true Renaissance man.

With sports interests just as diverse – his interests include skiing and cycling – it’s no surprise that he is taking on the challenge of the 2010 Sea to Shining Sea.

As U.S Presidential Envoy to Iraq from May 2003 through June 2004, Bremer headed the Coalition Provisional Authority during the critical first year following the fall of Saddam Hussein and was responsible for Coalition efforts to start rebuilding the country’s shattered political and economic structure.  He received the Medal of Freedom for his service in Iraq.

A career diplomat, he held various posts with the State Department during the 1970s and was American Ambassador to the Netherlands from 1983 to 1986 and then Ambassador at Large for Counter Terrorism in the second Reagan Administration. Before returning to government service in Iraq, Bremer was a successful businessman.

Bremer is the author of My Year in Iraq: The Struggle to Build a Future of Hope, which describes the many challenges the Coalition Provisional Authority faced in rebuilding Iraq.

Always looking to inspire and motivate others, Bremer founded the Lincoln/Douglass Scholarship Foundation, a Washington-based non-profit organization providing high school scholarships to inner city youths. Bremer also serves on the Board of Catholic Charities of Washington and is a Director of the National Fibromyalgia Association and of World T.E.A.M. Sports. Since November, 2010, he has served as the CEO and President of World T.E.A.M. Sports.

He is married to author Frances Winfield, is the father of two and grandfather of four.  Although Sea to Shining Sea was his first cross-country bicycling challenge, Bremer has also competed in triathlons and in marathons.