Colonel Kevin Gerdes joined the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1979.  He attended St John's University and received his commission through ROTC as a Second Lieutenant in 1982.  He later graduated with a Degree in Management and earned his Masters Degree in Strategic Studies in 2006 from the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  He is currently enrolled in the Doctorate of Leadership program at the University of St Thomas.  Colonel Gerdes has served in a variety positions during his 30-year career with the Minnesota National Guard, including Executive Officer and Commander at the Battery, Battalion, and Brigade level.  He currently serves as Brigade Commander and Director of Personnel for the Minnesota National Guard and oversees the planning and implementation of the “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” reintegration program for the Guard – a model used for the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.  In 2004, while serving as Commander of the 1st Battalion 151st Field Artillery in Montevideo, his battalion was deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom.  After a 14-month tour, he and his soldiers returned home from Iraq in January 2006. Kevin is married to his wife Mickey and they currently reside in Mahtomedi, MN with their two boys:  Tyson - 21, and Patrick - 19.