Biography

Andreas ‘Baron’ Wesemann, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (retired) was born in Salt Lake City and graduated from Granger High School in 1985.  No stranger to wearing a uniform as a youth, he joined Civil Air Patrol in 1981 and earned the highest youth achievement, the Carl A. Spaatz Award #741 in 1985, and was Utah Wing Cadet of the Year in 1984.  Colonel Wesemann was active in his unit’s color guard, was the Utah Wing Drill Team Commander taking them to national competition, and the 1984 Summer Encampment Cadet Commander.  He received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, graduating in 1991, and served 27-years flying around the world in 5 different aircraft. 

After achievement his boyhood dream of earning his pilot wings in 1993, he was the Distinguished Graduate at Financial Services Officer School.  He next became a C‑130E pilot putting the ‘air’ in Airborne, followed by an Instructor Pilot in the T‑37B.  He moved to Georgia as initial cadre to stand-up the new T-6A program as the second ever Flight Commander and Company Grade Officer of the Year.  After garnering Distinguished Graduate honors at C‑130 requalification, he joined the 71^st Rescue Squadron, deploying to OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM as the 46^th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron Commander.  Colonel Wesemann served a 1-year remote as the Director of the Joint Personnel Recovery Center overseeing the rescue of over 700 individuals.  Following his remote, he was assigned to Headquarters, United States Air Force Academy, responsible for the Officer Development System for the 4,400 cadets, and subsequently as the Airmanship Branch Chief over the four airmanship programs at USAFA.  His last assignment was another remote assignment to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, on the 7^th Air Force staff overseeing the Korean Air Simulation Center Director.

Colonel Wesemann completed his Master of Aviation Science degree with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1997 and is expected to complete his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction in fall of 2020 at Utah State University.  He brings the higher education perspective to the board, as he has previously served on national, state and local boards and committees for educational, professional and service organizations.   In 2001, he started and served as the Squadron Commander for a 42-cadet Civil Air Patrol Squadron GA-802.  Colonel Wesemann has extensive leadership experience with youth organizations, including running summer Scout Camps, adult leadership training and military traditions in veteran’s organizations.   He still serves on the combined service veteran’s honor guard in Cache Valley.  Colonel Wesemann runs a youth aviation summer camp at Utah State University, Aggie Aviation Adventure, where youth from all over the country spend a week in an experiential learning laboratory, and fly at the controls of an aircraft and helicopter.  After his retirement in 2014, he joined Utah State University as the Director of the Professional Pilot Program and new Drone Minor.  He has helped double the program in the past 5 years and is excited to be part of the Utah Military Academy.  He is a sought after orator speaking on aviation, passion, finding one’s dreams and achieving goals, especially for youth