Together our team of experts bring over 140 years of experience assisting and advocating for veterans.
- James (Jim) Finley - Volunteers with the Minnesota Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) as their Employer Outreach Director. ESGR is a Department of Defense program that started in 1972 and works with both employers and service members. Jim worked 40 years for the Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), retiring in 2019 as the Director of Veterans Employment and Training Programs. Mr. Finley is a Viet Nam era Veteran who served with the Army's 9th Infantry Division. Besides ESGR, Jim also volunteers with a non-profit called Veterans Resilience Project (VRP) that provides no-cost trauma therapy to ANY Minnesota Veteran.
- Dean Ascheman - Is a U.S. Army veteran, Graduate of U of MN Carlson school of Management, retired IBM executive (40 yrs.) with software development, software service, and international marketing experience. Former Adjutant/executive Director of MN Disabled American Veterans organization and Foundation and served on seven foundation board of directors.
- Annette Brechon Kuyper is an accomplished community relations leader. As a Blue Star Mother, Annette created the nationally known Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Program uniting over 500 communities, companies and military support organizations in support of service members, veterans and military families. Annette is passionate about workforce development for veterans and partnered with over 100 Minnesota Companies, including 14 Fortune 500 Companies to enhance veteran employee recruiting, hiring and retaining policies. She remains dedicated to the care of veterans as the Secretary of the Bloomington Beyond Yellow Ribbon Network. A graduate of St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN, Annette grew up in Bloomington, MN and married her high school sweetheart. They enjoy spending as much time as possible with their six grandchildren.
- John Baker is currently the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers. He is a retired tenured Professor of Criminal Justice at St. Cloud State University. John is also retired from the United States Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant after serving twenty-two years in various infantry, artillery, and administrative capacities in numerous locations within the United States and around the world. He graduated magna cum laude from Saint Cloud State University and is a graduate of Hamline University School of Law. John is a licensed attorney having previously represented veterans in the criminal justice system and with a variety of legal issues that are related to their military service. John chaired the initiative to start Veterans Courts in Minnesota. Minnesota Lawyer named John as an Attorney of the Year in 2010 for this work. In addition, John has been active at the Minnesota legislature and Congress writing legislation to benefit veterans. He was also an instructor with the Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute (UMPCI) traveling the nation teaching de-escalation to law enforcement.
- Randy Tesdahl - Served from 1977-1997 Active Service in the United States Marine Corps, 1999-2004 with Dol Vets. Dept. of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Program through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Security. Served as a DVOP Disabled Veterans Outreach Program specialist helping put veterans back to work. Also served as an LVER Local Veterans Employment Rep working with employers in understanding the benefits of hiring veterans. 2004-2019…15 years The American Legion Department MN (MN State) Veteran Service Officer. Here I was responsible for Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation activities relating to disability claims and VA hospital patient advocacy. In 2009 was selected to serv as the Minnesota State Adjutant (Exec. Director) of the Minnesota American Legion. In this role I covered all matters of the largest veterans’ service organization in Minnesota, serving over 100,000 members at over 600 Posts and communities in Minnesota. In 2019 I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and took medical retirement. As such, I voluntarily help fellow Marines that have disabilities because of exposure to drinking water at Camp Lejeune NC. I now volunteer with several veterans’ groups & activities: TRR Team River Runner... We provide VA approved training for disabled veterans and have regular outing for all levels throughout the year (winter months we are in an indoor pool). Magnus Veterans Foundation... They provide professional medical, mental health, physical, spiritual, and overall wellness services to Veterans and their family members free of charge to them.