MACV’s Board of Directors

Meet the Directors!

Trista Martinson

Chair

Trista Martinson, poised to become the first executive director of Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy, brings a wealth of experience from military, nonprofit, and government roles. With over 30 years in leadership, she recently served as a Ramsey County Commissioner. Her career includes 16 years of active military service across the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army National Guard. Trista has also made significant contributions as the President and a board member of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV). 

In her role as a Ramsey County Commissioner, Trista represented diverse St. Paul neighborhoods and Falcon Heights, announcing her transition to Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy. Her selection was driven by her strategic vision, dedication to public service, and collaborative approach. As Board Chair, she championed the Climate Equity Action Plan, underscoring her commitment to sustainability and equity. 

Trista’s community involvement is extensive. She led efforts for the National County Government Month, enhancing awareness of Ramsey County’s mission. At MACV, she was instrumental in legislative initiatives that established new supportive housing for veterans. Her recognition includes a 2016 Bush Fellowship, the 2011 Women Veteran of the Year award, and being named an Inspiring Woman by the Minnesota Lynx. 

Before her current roles, Trista’s leadership at MACV, the Minnesota Humanities Center, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity left a lasting impact. She founded the Women Veterans Initiative, advocating for equity and innovative programs for women veterans. Additionally, she served as a Veterans Court Advocate. 

Trista’s educational journey includes studies at the University of St. Thomas and a communications and public policy degree from Metro State University. She lives in the Como neighborhood and enjoys gardening and outdoor activities with her five sons. Her diverse experiences and unwavering commitment make her a standout leader in any endeavor she undertakes. 

Shauna Bednar

Treasurer

Shauna Bednar served in the US Air Force as a Flight Engineer on C130s from 2010-2016. During her time she did two tours overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Freedom Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve. Prior to joining the Air Force Shauna completed her degree in management from the University of North Dakota.

Shauna currently works for NorthRock Partners as a Client Service Senior Associate and holds the designation of Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA).

Angela Steward-Randle

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.

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 the Vice President of Nuclear Fleet Operations.  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

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 the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. He leads and manages multi-year strategic business and technology projects 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.

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.  

Ryan Hanson

Board Member

Kristine Lord-Krahn

Board Member

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!

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.

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