Deacon Mike Wiedemer

Board Member of Bridge of Mercy Ministries

An Extraordinary Life of Leadership and Service 

Deacon Michael P. “Mike” Wiedemer brings to the Board of Directors of Bridge of Mercy Ministries an extraordinary combination of Catholic faith, ordained ministry, military leadership, scientific achievement, and practical service. A retired major general of the United States Air Force, he has spent his life applying disciplined study, sound judgment, and faithful stewardship to responsibilities ranging from advanced aerospace programs to parish ministry.

Education and Military Formation 

Deacon Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 1972 and received his commission through Notre Dame’s Air Force ROTC program. He later earned a Master of Science in industrial management from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in management from Troy University. His professional military education included the Air Command and Staff College, where he was the distinguished graduate of his class, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Inspired by Apollo 11 

Inspired by the Apollo 11 moon landing, Deacon Mike began a 32-year Air Force career devoted to aerospace engineering, systems development, acquisition, logistics, and command. His assignments included service as a missile combat crew commander and leadership in programs involving satellite navigation, missile systems, aircraft testing, and advanced aerospace technology. He contributed to the development of the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System and worked in environments supporting the testing of the Space Shuttle, the Hubble Space Telescope, stealth aircraft, airline jet engines, and other military and commercial air and space systems.

Strategic Leadership and Service to Military Families  

Among his senior leadership assignments, Deacon Mike commanded both the Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tennessee and the Sacramento Air Logistics Center in California. He later served as Director of Requirements for Air Force Materiel Command, providing guidance for thousands of acquisition professionals responsible for major defense programs. In 2002, he became Director of the Defense Commissary Agency, overseeing the worldwide military commissary system, which at the time included nearly 280 stores, approximately 17,000 employees, and annual sales of about $5 billion. In that position, he viewed the commissary system not simply as a large organization to manage, but as an important means of supporting military families.

Military Honors and Continued Public Service 

His military honors include the Defense Superior Service Medal, two awards of the Legion of Merit, four awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Following his retirement from active duty, he continued to serve as a consultant to organizations in the aerospace and defense sectors. He was also selected to serve on the Tennessee Aerospace and Defense Advisory Board, which brought together senior leaders to advise the state on long-term strategy, economic development, and opportunities within the aerospace and defense industries.

A Catholic Faith Lived in Service 

Throughout his professional life, Deacon Mike remained deeply rooted in his Catholic faith. After coming to Tennessee in the early 1980s, he joined the Winchester Council of the Knights of Columbus and maintained that connection even as military assignments took him to other parts of the country. At Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Decherd, he served as a lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. He also supported pro-life efforts in Tennessee, served on the board of the Cowan Home for adults with intellectual disabilities, and was recognized as Tennessee’s Knight of the Year. His experience in the military and aerospace fields strengthened his interest in the moral and ethical questions that accompany scientific and technological advancement.

Called to the Permanent Diaconate 

That lifelong interest in theology and service eventually led Deacon Mike to formation for the permanent diaconate. After completing four years of formation, he was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Nashville on April 1, 2023. He was assigned to serve St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Tullahoma and St. Mark Catholic Church in Manchester. In May 2023, he received a Master of Arts in Theology from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, further preparing him to serve the Church through teaching, evangelization, pastoral care, and the ministry of charity.

Faith, Family, and the Mission of Mercy 

Deacon Mike and his wife, Pam, have built their life together around faith, family, and service. As a Board Member of Bridge of Mercy Ministries, he contributes extensive experience in strategic leadership, organizational governance, Catholic formation, and responsible stewardship. His life reflects the conviction at the heart of Bridge of Mercy: that prayer and study must lead to courageous, practical service—and that the gifts God gives each person are ultimately entrusted to them for the good of the Church, the community, and those most in need of mercy.