MACV’s Board of Directors

Trista Martinson

Board Chair

Trista Martinson serves as the Executive Director of Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy, bringing over three decades of leadership experience from military, nonprofit, and government sectors. Prior to this role, she served as a Ramsey County Commissioner representing diverse St. Paul neighborhoods and Falcon Heights. Her distinguished career includes 16 years of active military service across the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army National Guard.

As Executive Director, Trista leads Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy with the strategic vision and collaborative approach that defined her tenure as Board Chair, where she championed the Climate Equity Action Plan, demonstrating her commitment to sustainability and equity. Her selection for this pioneering position reflects her dedication to public service and environmental stewardship.

Trista’s accomplishments have earned her numerous recognitions, including a 2016 Bush Fellowship, the 2011 Women Veteran of the Year award, and being named an Inspiring Woman by the Minnesota Lynx. She founded the Women Veterans Initiative, advocating for equity and innovative programs for women veterans, and served as chair Military and Veterans policy committee of the National Association of Counties.

Her educational background includes studies at the University of St. Thomas and a degree from Metro State University. A resident of the Como neighborhood, Trista enjoys gardening and outdoor activities with her family.

Kristine Lord-Krahn

Board Vice Chair

Kristine Lord-Krahn is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. She became aware of MACV’s work through Allianz Life’s long-term support and involvement in the Salute to Servicewomen Classic.

Ms. Lord-Krahn received her BA from the University of St Thomas and her JD from William Mitchell College of Law. She leads the legal teams responsible for legal distribution, regulatory, operations, tax, privacy, cyber-security, anti-money laundering, and government relations matters at Allianz Life and its subsidiaries. She grew up in a family with a history of military service during WW II and the Vietnam War and she appreciates the opportunity to help our Veterans through her work with MACV.

Kristine is an Eagan resident, wife, and mother of five children-ages 18, 17, 15, 12 and 6 yrs. She devotes significant time to supporting the Eagan Athletic Association and Eagan High School athletic programs, her local church, and mentoring undergraduate and law students at The University of St Thomas. When she is not at work or volunteering, you can usually find her cheering loudly at a local hockey rink, soccer, football, or track fields, and dance studios and gymnastics practices!

Shauna Bednar

Board Treasurer

Shauna Bednar is an Associate Financial Advisor at NorthRock Partners, where she works closely with clients to provide strategic financial advice and comprehensive planning tailored to their long-term goals. She supports a diverse group of clients including business owners, executives, professional athletes, and affluent families, helping them navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence.

Shauna brings a service-driven perspective shaped by her time in the U.S. Air Force as a Flight Engineer on C-130 aircraft. During her service, she completed two overseas deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Freedom Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. She holds a degree in Management from the University of North Dakota and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA).

She and her husband, Grant, met while serving in the Air Force and now live in Eagan, Minnesota with their two daughters and their dog.

Angela Steward-Randle

Board Secretary

Angela Steward-Randle’s early years were shaped by her father’s military career, with her family moving every 2-3 years to different assignments in locations all over the world. Following the path she saw her father walk, Angela enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard. She served in the military for 30 years overall, with the last seventeen years in a full-time dual status position. Angela served as a Medical Service Corps officer and completed the Adjutant General Officer Corps career path in human resources before retiring.

Angela’s devotion to serving others continues with her current leadership position as Director of Human Resources at Twin Cities social service nonprofit Neighborhood House. She resides in Brooklyn Park, where she is a caregiver for her mother and has two adult children. Angela joined our Board in May 2022.

Jessica Atherton

Board Member

Jessi Atherton is a US Army Veteran, serving in the National Guard from 2002-2006. She deployed in 2005 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as an Automated Logistics Specialist, Combat Lifesaver, and M203 Gunner. During her military service, Jessi received the Army Achievement Medal. Prior to joining the Army, Jessi completed a degree in Public Health and then after completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Northern Michigan University. Jessi spent the last decade working in the mental and behavioral health field as a Registered Nurse (RN, BSN), currently working as a Community Engagement and Partnership Specialist with Suicide Prevention at the Minneapolis VAMC.

Jessi participates in the Minnesota State Suicide Prevention Taskforce, the Governors Challenge Taskforces, and facilitates the Northeast MN Suicide Prevention Coalition as well as the Twin Cities MN Suicide Prevention Coalition. She serves on the board for Thrive Range, MNME, the DAV Women’s Committee, and is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of MACV. She is an advocate for Veterans, women’s health, mental health, and reducing stigma.

Jessi is a published poet and active participant in Warrior Writers, a poetry group which helps Veterans tell their stories. She was a 2019 Veteran’ Voices Award recipient, and recently published in the anthology Rocked by the Waters. Jessi also spends her free time being a Girl Scout Brownie Troop Leader, running and training for half marathons, biking, hiking, and most importantly, being a momma to her three beautiful, busy daughters.

Michael Bassett

Board Member

Michael Bassett is a U.S. Navy Veteran who served for two years stationed out of San Diego aboard the USS McKee (AS-41), a submarine tender. After his service, he built a career with the City of Minneapolis, where he currently works in Solid Waste and Recycling as a Maintenance Crew Leader in the office. Michael is married to his wife, Chanel, and they in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

Chris Church

Board Member

Chris grew up in a military family, with his father serving six years in the US Navy, followed by twenty-two years in the US Army before retiring.  Both of Chris’ brothers served in the military as well as one of his grandfathers. Chris’ wife is also currently serving in the US Navy Reserves.  Chris is a US Navy Veteran serving on active duty as a nuclear submarine officer from 1989-1994.

Chris currently works for Xcel Energy as Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer.  Prior to joining Xcel Energy, Chris held several senior leadership roles in other nuclear fleets, including the Tennessee Valley Authority and Progress Energy / Carolina Power and Light.  Chris has a B.S. from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and an M.S. from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Arthur Cofield

Board Member

Arthur served in the United States Marine Corps and is a Veteran of Operations Desert Shield & Storm. He holds a M.S. from the University of St. Thomas, a B.S. from Florida A&M University, a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, and an Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certification.

Arthur currently works for 3M. He leads and manages multi-year strategic technology programs utilizing his strengths in building community to promote progress towards stated goals.

Arthur’s father, a Vietnam Veteran with the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne, faced many challenges upon his return from duty, including a stint with homelessness. Arthur experienced firsthand the impact this had on the family.

Arthur and his wife are the proud parents of two children. He is active in the community with the Five Oaks Community Church (Governing Board), Transform Minnesota (Board), the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association (Life Member) and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Life Member).

Arthur is grateful to be a part of MACV to help make a difference for homeless Veterans.

Sam Cook

Board Member

Charles Dolson

Board Member

Charles is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who enlisted right after finishing high school in Red Lake, Minnesota. He served on the presidential helicopter unit (HMX-1), and then worked in law enforcement for several years between his military service and going to college. 

Charles graduated from Bemidji State University with a degree in Psychology, then completed law school. Since then, he has worked as the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indian’s Executive Director, a staff attorney at Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, and is currently the CEO of Red Lake Incorporated. He joined the MACV Board of Directors in 2021, and notes that the mission focus at MACV is what makes him proud of his involvement with our work.  

Christopher Hvinden

Board Member

Christopher Hvinden served in the United States Marine Corps for 8 years and is a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, serving in Iraq, Africa, and Ukraine, and assisting with relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina. He holds an M.B.A. and a B.S.W. from Saint Scholastica, an A.A. from Inver Hills Community College, Personal Trainer/Bootcamp/Nutrition certifications, and an Apiarist certification.

Christopher has been serving as an advocate for Veterans for 15 years, including working for the US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Benefits Administration, and as a Homeless Justice Outreach Assistant County Veterans Service Officer. He was a Veterans’ Voice Award recipient with consistent volunteer work such as being featured in WCCO’s Suits for Soldiers drive and a TPT (Twin Cities PBS) documentary, Crossing the Threshold, about Veterans transitioning back home from war; volunteering with MACV, Operation: 23 to 0, Veterans Peer Mentor for the Veterans Treatment Court, Treatment Court Initiative Board Member, and testifying in favor of MN House File 478 Veterans Restorative Justice Act.

Christopher also spends his free time weightlifting, camping, fishing, hiking, and encouraging his 20-year-old son to keep pursuing his passion for art and helping others.

Jacob Kulzer

Board Member

Walter Novillo

Board Member

Dr. Walter Novillo served in tactical intelligence roles in Fort Ord, California, and Fort Lewis, Washington supporting Operations Just Cause, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm during his service in active duty in the United States Army.

Walter’s educational background includes human resource development, business, public administration, and law. He has researched the intersection of labor, educational programs, and social, economic mobility. He is currently a lecturer at the University of Minnesota and has created innovative programs to increase access and success of students in postsecondary programs effectively. He teaches undergraduate students human resource development and business and marketing education courses. In his courses, he contributes to students’ social, academic, and emotional development by facilitating critical thinking and promoting a high level of achievement.

Severin St. Martin

Board Member

Severin St. Martin is a Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group, where he advises leading retailers and distributors on strategy and large-scale transformations across merchandising, pricing, and operations. He is also a senior leader in BCG’s efforts to support veterans transitioning to and advancing in civilian careers.

Before joining BCG, Sev served as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army, deploying twice to Iraq. He led small combat units in Ramadi and later ran a real-time operations center coordinating allied operations across a large portion of Baghdad.

Sev holds a BS in Political Science and Computer Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. He serves on the boards of MAC-V and the Minnesota Children’s Museum.

Rich Stevens

Board Member

Rich Stevens is a retired Army officer with over 32 years of service. Rich’s military career has enabled him to serve on active duty and as a member of both the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve, in support of Operations Desert Shield & Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve.

Rich’s devotion to serving others continues with his current role as a Planner with Ramsey County.  In which he supports the county’s effort to improve the public’s interaction with the public safety system.

Rich and his wife are proud parents of three busy girls and a playful doodle.  Rich is active with the local VFW and school district and is honored to be a part of the MACV family.