Our Team of Experts
Together our team of experts bring over 100 years of experience assisting and advocating for veterans.
- Peter Bartling - Served as CEO for Physician Practices Minnesota Oncology and Consulting Radiologists Ltd. He is currently a consultant for Health Care Pathways, and is writing a medical book entitled “Medicine, Management, and Money.” Peter was a 2nd Lt. with the 9th Logistical Command in Thailand, and a 1st Lt. with the 25th and 9th Infantry Divisions in Vietnam. He served in the Army Reserves as well, reaching the rank of Major.
- 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.
- Greg Peterson - Is a Certified Veterans Advocate, one of three in Minnesota. As the Director of Veterans Services for Brown County, he oversees all facets of obtaining earned benefits for Veterans, dependents, survivors, National Guard and Reservists, and Gold Star families. A consummate leader, Greg served as President of the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers for 2.5 years, where he implemented a strategic plan that focused on training the state's 155 Service Officers, positively impacting legislative decisions, and developing professional relationships with their stakeholders. Before his 2004 appointment as a Veterans Service Officer, Greg served nearly 24 years in the United States Air Force as a Career Enlisted Aviator in the Loadmaster field. He has over 7,000 in-flight hours on the C-17 and C-141 jet transports. He participated in every conflict, from the Grenada operation in 1983 to Operation Southern Watch. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Six Air Force Commendation medals, and many more theater medals. Greg is a member of The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Professional Loadmaster Association, and he is the Treasurer for the Minnesota Veterans for Veterans Trust. He hails from New Ulm, MN, and lives on his family's 1880 farm with his spouse and Blue Heeler dog.
- 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.
- William (Bill) Goins- Bill served as a U.S. Navy Supply Officer for over 20 years in the active Navy and Naval Reserves, retiring as a Navy Commander. Some of his assignments included Material Officer on the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy, (CV-67), Material Management Officer at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA, and a variety of active-duty assignments throughout the USA and Naval locations around the world. Bill’s civilian experiences included over 35 years with FedEx both at the FedEx Headquarters in Memphis, TN, and various positions in the Minneapolis, Mn, area. Bill has taught Supply Chain Management as an Adjunct Faculty member at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota. He has been a member of the Minnesota Freight Advisory Committee, (MFAC), for over 20 years and served as Chair of this committee for over 4 years. In addition, he has served on the Transportation Policy and Economic Competitiveness, (TPEC), Advisory Board, Humphrey School, University of Minnesota; the Supply Chain Advisory Board, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota; and he served on the Metropolitan Council’s, Transportation Advisory Board, (TAB), serving over 2 years on the TAB Executive Committee. Bill and his wife Carol live in Plymouth, MN and have 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren.