Meet Our President
Led by Individuals Dedicated to the Veteran Community
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.
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.
He is married to Cecilie Loidolt, and their son, Sam, is an Army Specialist assigned to the 101st 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 2015 and is the organization’s Chief Operations Officer. He oversees the organization’s mission through development, real property ownership and maintenance, office leasing and logistics, fleet management, and staff equipment.
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.
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 after commanding the 134th Brigade Support Battalion 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 and supports Veteran organizations like the United Veterans Legislative Council (UVLC) and the Association of the United States Army.
Jon was born in Darwin, Minnesota and grew up in Litchfield. He has been married for 24 years and has a 15 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. He lives in Shorewood.
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.
Nathaniel Saltz
Chief Programs Officer
Nathaniel joined the MACV team in 2003. As the Chief Programs Officer, he provides leadership and oversight of Veteran services and grant compliance. 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.
Shaun Riffe
Development Director
Shaun is the Development Director of MACV and oversees nongovernmental grants, donor relations, and external communications. As a communications leader, he engages clients and stakeholders about MACV’s work to end Veteran homelessness in Minnesota.
Joining the team in 2018, Shaun seeks and promotes solutions for MACV’s partners and Veterans. He actively supports the organization’s culture of providing unique pathways to success for Veterans and their families. Shaun ensures that staff throughout the organization have means to create innovative solutions and partner with others to help Minnesota’s Veterans.
Shaun’s previous work includes photojournalism and asset recovery. He served 25 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard in recruiting command, operations, and human resources. In 2003, Shaun deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He was born in Sioux City, Iowa and was raised in Jamestown, North Dakota. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from the University of North Dakota. He resides in St. Paul.
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 prior to joining the staff full-time.
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. 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 was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Macalester College in 2000 with a major in Urban Studies, and then 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.
Dustin Bystrom
Salesforce Administrator
Dustin is MACV’s Salesforce Administrator. He joined the team in 2016 as a contract street outreach worker, moved into housing case management, employment case management, and then became the Employment Program Manager prior to his current role.
Dustin manages primary technology and records platforms, ensuring efficiency of client services and communication with stakeholders. Dustin thinks MACV is fortunate to have such strong community support, and he believes if the team can end Veteran homelessness, we can lay the groundwork to end all homelessness.
His work history includes a variety of mental health rehabilitation roles in residential settings prior to joining MACV. He also serves on the board of directors for a mental health and independent living services non-profit. Dustin earned his Associate of Applied Sciences in Human Services from Northwood Technical College, and a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Dustin was born and raised in Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin. He enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife and three-year-old son. He resides in Saint Paul.
Kevin Beichler
North Regional Director
Kevin is MACV’s North Regional Director, overseeing efforts to find safe, stable housing options for Veterans. His team works tirelessly to provide services to Veterans who have fallen on hard times. He joined the team in 2016.
Kevin believes that ending Veteran homelessness in Minnesota would not be possible without our dedicated team members, partners, and local communities.
Kevin served in the U.S. Air Force for 23 years as an aerial gunner and flight engineer. He retired from active duty as the Command Flight Engineer for U.S. Air Forces Europe, and had combat deployments in the Balkans, Southwest Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
He grew up a military dependent and lived stateside and overseas as a child. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from The College of St. Scholastica. Kevin graduated high school in Duluth, where he now lives.
Kurt Johnson
Metro Regional Director
Kurt joined MACV as the Metro Regional Director in 2022. He oversees the teams for housing stability, transitional housing, 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 12 years Kurt has served in the Army National Guard, most recently as an armor officer, commanding the C Troop, 1st Squadron, 94th Cavalry. 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, and resides in Zimmerman.
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.
She currently serves in the Army National Guard as First Sergeant HHB 1st Battalion, 151st Field Artillery, and has deployed 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.