Steven M. Waldmann, Former Executive Director
Steven M. “Mike” Waldmann served as executive director of the Society of St. Andrew from May 2008 through the end of 2016. He succeeded one of SoSA’s founders, Kenneth C. Horne, Jr. Mike is the 3rd oldest of 11 children born to George H. and Patricia J. Waldmann, of Cincinnati, Ohio. After growing up in Ohio, he attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, where he graduated in 1974. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, and a Masters in International Relations. During his more than 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, Mike served in several command positions, and served as captain of 4 different ships. Mike has an extensive background in organizational management.
In 1987, Mike attended a Society of St. Andrew Harvest of Hope event, and then served as a volunteer for the Society of St. Andrew until 1994. In July of 1994, he retired from the Coast Guard and accepted the position as director of the Society of St. Andrew’s first regional office, in Durham, North Carolina. His efforts in North Carolina resulted in a program growth of more than 800% in just two years. In 1997, Mike was transferred to the national office of Society of St. Andrew as chief of operations, which included responsibilities for all of the day-to-day operations of the organization and its personnel.
In recent years, the Society of St. Andrew has demonstrated considerable program growth, while reducing overhead and administration costs, resulting in more food being distributed to our nation’s hungry at less cost per pound. Under Mike’s leadership, the Society of St. Andrew’s overhead percentage has been reduced from 12% overall to an average of just 7%, while simultaneously increasing food distribution by more than 100%. Each year, SoSA saves and distributes about 30 million pounds of fresh produce to thousands of feeding programs across the country. This is accomplished at an overall program cost of a little over 2 cents per serving.
Mike is married to the former Penny S. Baker. They have 3 adult daughters: Emily is a graduate of the UNC Greensboro School of Nursing, Amelia is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Biological Systems Engineering, and Virginia graduated from Longwood University with a masters in education. Mike and his family live in Forest, Virginia.
