Michael E. Wetmore has been appointed director of the Shuttle Processing organization at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), effective Nov. 3, 2002.
In this position, Wetmore will be responsible for the management and oversight of Space Shuttle processing and launch operations at KSC. He has been the deputy director of Shuttle Processing since 1999.
“Mike is a great leader with just the right mix of skills to lead our Shuttle processing team,” said Roy D. Bridges, director, KSC. “He is well known throughout the Shuttle program for his integrity, his acute sense of judgment on business decisions, and his dedication to the ‘One NASA’ initiative, he is the right man for these times.”
Wetmore earned a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md, in 1980. He served seven years in the United States Navy as a nuclear trained submarine officer, including six strategic deterrent patrols.
In 1987, he began his career at NASA as a Shuttle environmental control and life support system engineer. Wetmore has excelled in a variety of positions which include Shuttle fuel cells/power reactant storage and distribution engineer, resources management lead for the Space Shuttle Launch and Landing Projects Office, manager, Space Shuttle Launch and Landing Projects Office, and deputy to the director, Process Integration. He has also served one year at NASA headquarters as the chief of the Space Shuttle Resources and Program Evaluation Branch, responsible for the administration of the budgets for the Space Shuttle, Expendable Launch Vehicle, and Payload Carriers programs.
Wetmore received a master’s degree in business administration from Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Fla., in 1989. He is a recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal.
Wetmore is married to the former Kim Sannicandro of Merritt Island, Fla. They have two children, Chris and Julie. His mother, Betty Wetmore, resides in Merritt Island, Florida.