Meet Our President

Neal Loidolt

President/ CEO

Neal is President and CEO of Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV). He joined MACV in February 2017 and works closely with the Board of Directors, MACV executive leadership, staff, and community stakeholders to establish and oversee the strategic direction of the organizational mission to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota.

Since assuming leadership, Neal has raised the public profile of MACV and the needs of homeless Veterans while strengthening community support. This has led to innovative partnerships with housing developers, corporations, foundations, and media that bring MACV closer to achieving its mission. Neal served on the Governor’s Taskforce on Housing to address Minnesota’s housing challenges and provide recommendations. He has Shepherded MACV through a period of increasing growth while also improving effectiveness as the State of Minnesota nears the practical end of Veteran homelessness.

Neal’s passion for serving Veterans grows out of his personal military service. In 2017, Neal transitioned to MACV from full-time employment with the Minnesota National Guard. He retired as a Major General after more than thirty years of service providing guidance, leadership, support, and oversight on matters pertaining to organizational priorities.

In 1984, Neal began his military career when he enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard as an Ammunition Specialist. He received his commission from Saint Cloud State University, Army Reserve Officers Training Corps in May 1987. He has served in numerous staff positions throughout his career and commanded at all levels of the Division. His deployments include Deputy Director of Operations, Iraq Reconstruction Management Office, United States Mission – Iraq and Chief of Staff, 34th Infantry Division, United States Division-South in Basra, Iraq. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star. At MACV, Neal was awarded the Board of Governors Regional Emmy and recognized as a Notable Military Executive for 2022.

He is married to Cecilie Loidolt, a Partner at Wheeler, Trigg O’Donnell, LLP, and their son, Sam, is an Army Specialist assigned to the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Education

• 1988 Saint Cloud State University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Saint Cloud, Minnesota
• 1992 Hamline University School of Law, Juris Doctor, Saint Paul, Minnesota
• 2004 US Army War College, Senior Service Fellow, Harvard University, National Security Fellowship, Boston, Massachusetts
• 2012 Syracuse University, National Security Studies Management Course, Syracuse, New York
• 2012 George C. Marshall Center, Senior Executive Seminar, Countering Violent Extremism, Garmisch, Germany
• 2013 Harvard University, General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar, Boston, Massachusetts

Jon Lovald

Chief Operations Officer

Jon joined MACV in 2017 as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. He oversees the organization’s mission through development, property acquisition, office leasing, logistics, and ensuring MACV staff resources needed to end Veteran homelessness.

Jon enjoys working for an organization whose clients have served the nation. He believes mission clarity allows for easy decision-making and asks himself each day if what he is doing contributes to ending Veteran homelessness in Minnesota.  Since assuming the role of COO, MACV has significantly grown its housing inventory in order to provide housing to Veterans with the fewest opportunities to find stable housing.  This growth in housing was made possible through partnerships with for profit, non-profit, government and non-government organizations.

Jon served 25 years in the United States Army, first as an enlisted soldier and then as an officer upon graduation from St. Cloud State University. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2015 after commanding the 134th Brigade Support Battalion of the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division and serving as the Minnesota National Guard Director of Human Resources for the active Army and Air National Guard workforce.

An active member of the community, Jon is a paid on-call volunteer firefighter with the Excelsior Fire District and supports Veteran organizations like the General Vessey Chapter of the Association of the United States Army. He is a lifetime member of the VFW, American Legion and 34th Infantry Division Association.

Jon grew up and graduated from Litchfield, Minnesota. He currently lives in Shorewood, MN with his wife of 26 years and 2 children ages 18 and 14.

Nathaniel Saltz

Chief Programs Officer

Nathaniel joined the MACV team in 2003. As the Chief Programs Officer, he provides leadership and strategic oversight of statewide veteran services and grant implementation. He previously provided case management and programmatic leadership, delivering services to Veterans experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

Nathaniel believes that all Veterans deserve a place to call home. He champions MACV’s cause to find the right housing and supportive services for each Veteran who walks through the door.

Nathaniel was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and has a Bachelor of Arts in Technical Communication from Metropolitan State University. He resides in Eagan, Minnesota.

Brian Peterson

Chief Financial Officer

As MACV’s Chief Financial Officer, Brian provides financial leadership to the organization. He promotes the collective efforts of all staff and services, utilizing all available resources to make the greatest impact possible to end Veteran homelessness. His other responsibilities include broad oversight of human resources, information technology, and risk management.

Brian joined the team in 2018 and believes MACV’s mission is inspirational and achievable. He thinks we will soon see a day where Veterans in Minnesota have the resources and support to achieve stable housing, and that by ending Veteran homelessness, we are also developing systems and approaches that can be applied to other populations experiencing homelessness as well.

Before joining MACV, Brian started a youth leadership nonprofit called Students Today Leaders Forever. He spent nine years as co-executive director and engaged youth from across the country in leadership programs and experiences. Additionally, Brian worked at CliftonLarsonAllen as a consultant, developing the strategy, operations, and financial capability of other nonprofits.

Brian was born and raised in Crookston, Minnesota, and has a bachelor’s degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, with majors in finance and nonprofit management. He resides in New Brighton.

Sara Riegle

Chief Housing Officer

Sara Riegle joined MACV is 2022 and is the organization’s Vice President of Property Operations. She oversees the organization’s mission by managing our property operations team. She is dedicated to ensuring every Veteran MACV serves has a dignified place to call home.

Sara Riegle has been an advocate for affordable and supportive housing for 20 years. She has her Master’s in Counseling Therapy but moved to a housing focus when it became clear that it was the foundation for success. Sara has onboarded over 40 new affordable and supportive housing across three states. Her focus has been on families, seniors, Veterans, those with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness.

Sara has overseen the growth and expansion of MACV’s housing operations to include an additional 100 units of multifamily housing.  Her experience in development has allowed MACV to explore new opportunities, models, and funding.

Shaun Riffe

Development Director

Shaun Riffe is the Development Director at MACV, where he draws on extensive experience in leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement. Since joining MACV in 2018, Shaun has driven the organization’s growth, significantly increased the annual financial budget, and expanded awareness on both state and national levels. His efforts have led to substantial growth in grants, philanthropic relationships, and community partnerships, all aimed at supporting Minnesota’s Veterans and their families.

Shaun’s background is as diverse as it is impactful. Before joining MACV, he worked as an entrepreneur, photojournalist, and asset recovery manager, and he brings with him a distinguished 25-year military career with the Minnesota Army National Guard and Active Duty. His military service included roles in recruiting command, operations, and human resources, with a deployment to Baghdad, Iraq in 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In his current role, Shaun has been a key player in community engagement, helping to create new affordable housing spaces, rezoning for innovative developments, and introducing unique living solutions like accessory dwelling units. His expertise in marketing and communication has ensured that MACV’s public and social media campaigns effectively maximize impact and awareness. Shaun’s negotiation skills have also strengthened partnerships with private and corporate entities, furthering MACV’s mission to end Veteran homelessness.

Originally from Sioux City, Iowa, and raised in Jamestown, North Dakota, Shaun holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of North Dakota and currently resides in St. Paul, Minnesota with his family.

Kevin Beichler

North Regional Director

Kevin has served as MACV’s North Regional Director since 2017, spearheading efforts to connect Veterans with safe, stable housing throughout the region. The North Region encompasses 43 counties and includes 5 of the 10 Continuums of Care (CoCs) in Minnesota that have achieved Functional Zero—effectively ending Veteran homelessness. Under Kevin’s leadership, the North Region team remains dedicated to assisting Veterans navigating housing instability and related challenges.

Kevin is deeply committed to the mission of ending Veteran homelessness in Minnesota – a goal he believes can only be achieved through the dedication of MACV’s team, strong partnerships, and support from local communities.

A 23-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Kevin served as both an aerial gunner and flight engineer. He concluded his military career as the Command Flight Engineer for U.S. Air Forces Europe, with multiple combat deployments to the Balkans, Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Growing up in a military family, Kevin has lived in various locations both stateside and overseas. He is proud to call Duluth – where he graduated high school and now resides – his home.

Kurt Johnson

Metro Regional Director

Kurt joined MACV as the Metro Regional Director in 2022. He oversees the teams for triage, housing stability, employment services, and outreach.

Before joining MACV, Kurt worked as the Senior Outreach Director for the office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. His experience there ranged from military and Veterans issues to transportation, public safety, law enforcement, foreign affairs, and local government. While working for Congress, he noticed MACV’s effectiveness and dedication to serving Veterans and was inspired to join the team.

For the past 15 years Kurt has served in the Army National Guard, most recently as an instructor for that state’s Officer Candidate School. Kurt was born in Florida and moved to Minnesota in 2003. Taking the cold over the heat any day, he considers Forest Lake his hometown.

Sadie Rezac

South Regional Director

Sadie joined MACV in 2016 as the Southern Regional Director. She is passionate about her work assisting Minnesota Veterans and proud of her team for accomplishing the difficult tasks facing providers as they aid those who have sacrificed so much for the nation. She believes Veterans should not have to worry about where they are going to lay their head at night, or when they will have their next meal.

Sadie served in the MN Army National Guard for 22 years in the logistics community. She retired as a Sergeant Major in 2025. Sadie had two combat deployments to Iraq (2005-2007) and Kuwait (2011-2012).

Sadie has a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She was born and raised in St. James, Minnesota and resides in Eagle Lake.

Sara Sommarstrom

Vetlaw Director

Sara joined MACV as its first-ever Vetlaw Director in 2011. She leads the legal team as they prevent or remove legal barriers affecting Veterans’ housing stability. Sara started working with MACV staff in 2009 to develop legal clinics for Veterans in MACV programming before joining the staff full-time in 2011 as the Vetlaw Director.

Sara is proud to work for an organization that has such a powerful and meaningful mission and is honored to serve alongside passionate and creative individuals dedicated to MACV’s mission of ending Veteran homelessness in Minnesota. She is an active participant in state and national bar association committees focused on Veteran and homelessness issues.

Sara was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Macalester College in 2000 with a major in Urban Studies and completed law school at the University of Minnesota in 2005. After graduation, she worked as an Equal Justice Works/AmeriCorps Fellow for the Minnesota Justice Foundation, a nonprofit organization that coordinates and supports law student pro bono efforts. She lives in Minneapolis.

David Nguyen

Subsidy Programs Director

David served active duty in the US Army’s 82^nd Airborne Division from 2001-2004 where he was deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning home to Minnesota, he served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 2005-2009.

David Joined the MACV team in June of 2013 and holds a Masters Degree in Public and Non-Profit Administration (MPNA) from Metro State University. He has performed a wide variety of jobs at MACV starting as a Case Manager, Operations Manager, Transitional Housing Program Manager, and is currently the Director of the Subsidy Programs.

David is married to his wife Elizabeth and has 3 rambunctious boys.

Lindsey Hofer

Statewide Program Director

Lindsey joined MACV in 2022 as a Program Manager and became the Statewide Program Director in 2023. She oversees various statewide internal and external-facing programs and leverages data analysis and community engagement to champion MACVs mission. Her work helps ensure continuous improvement and growth across all facets of the organization.

Before joining MACV, Lindsey worked as a Homeless Programs Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs where she administered the Homeless Veteran Registry and discovered her passion for Ending Veteran Homelessness. Throughout her career, she has worked to support government and nonprofit agencies through policy development, research, and advocacy.

Lindsey was born and raised in Seward, Nebraska. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2016 and then obtained a master’s degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs in 2018. She is proud to now call Minneapolis her forever home, despite her staunch loyalty to the Nebraska Cornhuskers.