From the Cockpit to the Church: An Unlikely Path

The Diocese of Tucson recently hired Brett Lemas as its new Technology Coordinator. Lemas comes to the diocese from the Tucson Police Department where he was the Chief Pilot of Air Support. “I planned on taking a couple of months to do nothing after retiring, but when I saw the job of Technology Coordinator on the diocese website, I could not pass up the opportunity. I retired on a Friday and went back to work the following Monday!” said Lemas.  

Lemas spent his upbringing as a parishioner at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Parish (SSPP) in midtown Tucson. After completing his primary K-8th grade education at SSPP, he went on to graduate from Salpointe Catholic High School and then to study at Pima Community College.  

He started his career with the South Tucson Police Department at the age of 18 working as a Dispatcher/911 Operator. He was hired as a Patrol Officer by the Tucson Police Department (TPD) in 2001. Throughout his career with TPD, Lemas worked patrol, traffic, training, and air support. It was the year 2011 when he achieved his lifelong goal of becoming a helicopter pilot for the Air Support Unit. 

“I reached every goal I had with TPD and was very fortunate in my career path, but when I became eligible for retirement, I felt it was time for a new challenge and a change in direction.” Lemas told The New Outlook. 

Saying he always “had a knack for computer and IT work”, the former helicopter pilot decided to search for something in computer and technology for his second career. Lemas says that he frequently assisted TPD and the City of Tucson IT Departments while working in law enforcement.  

A self-proclaimed “jack of all trades”, Lemas enjoys computers and IT infrastructure, working on cars, flying airplanes and helicopters, and doing home improvements. Excited to start his journey working in the Church, Lemas says, “I am looking forward to a long second career with the diocese in whatever capacity I can be of service.” In the few weeks that Lemas has been working at the Bishop Kicanas Pastoral Center, he has already enhanced cybersecurity efforts. He says that one of his main goals is to “increase reliability of systems across the diocese” and to increase efficiency overall. 

Today, Lemas and his wife of 16 years, along with their 13-year-old daughter, are parishioners at St. Rita’s in the Desert in Vail.  

“I am very excited and thankful for this new opportunity in my life. With the timing of it all, I truly believe that it was a gift from God,” says Lemas, “I am eager to strengthen that relationship and tackle all of the challenges ahead.” 
 
If you are like Lemas and think the Lord may be calling you to work for the Church, there are a variety of ministries throughout the Diocese of Tucson that have open positions. A career in the Church is one that supports both your spiritual wellbeing and relationship with God, and one where you can help others in their faith journey.  

Check out our current career listings and see if maybe God is opening a door for you and your unique gifts to make a difference in the Church!