Volunteer Drivers & Community Partners were honored at our fall conference. Below were the nominations we received by the DAV. We thank each and every one of them for their dedication to Minnesota’s Veterans!
Community Partner Nominations:
10k Construction: In recognition of your exceptional dedication and 
outstanding contributions to the DAV of Minnesota and our veterans, it is with great honor we present this award to 10K Construction. Over the past year, the team at 10K Construction has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to service to those who have served us. By selflessly donating countless hours and invaluable expertise, you have been instrumental in transforming the lives of Minnesota veterans. Your skilled hands and generous hearts have not only repaired homes but have also built a stronger foundation of hope and dignity for those who deserve it most. We are grateful for your talent, time and deep-seated commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of our heroes.
VA Medical Center Minneapolis: Kristin Powell, Recreation Therapy & Creative Arts Therapy Supervisor at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Ms. Powell has made a significant impact on advancing Recreation Therapy services for veterans. As a leader within VISN 23 and the National Recreation Therapy and Creative Arts Therapy Field Advisory Board, she has been instrumental in developing innovative strategies to improve access to care and enhance the quality of services provided to veterans. Kristin’s leadership has transformed veteran care by creating innovative therapy and adaptive sports programs. Through her work with DAV, she has helped bring opportunities like the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic and Golf Clinic to veterans, giving them a chance to heal, connect, and thrive. Her dedication and vision truly embody the mission of caring for those who have served. Please join me in honoring Kristin Powell.”
St Paul Regional Office (Whipple Building): Melanie Gunderson, a Rating Quality Review Specialist at the St. Paul VA Regional Office. With over 17 years of experience, Melanie ensures that complex rating decisions are accurate and fair, directly protecting the benefits veterans rely on. She has trained countless employees and County Veteran Service Officers on the PACT Act and even contributed a national article to raise awareness on benefits for veterans with chronic illnesses. Melanie was recognized in June of 2024 for Employee of month at VBA. Her professionalism, mentorship, and compassion reflect the very best of the Veterans Benefits Administration. Melanie unwavering dedication to our Veterans makes her a highly deserving for the DAV State Commanders Award. Her efforts have a lasting positive impact, reinforcing DAV’s mission to keep our promise to America’s Veterans
Driver Nominations:
CMNTP: Central Minnesota has selected Frank Austin as our 2025 Volunteer of the Year. Frank’s journey with us began in the fall of 2018, logging his very first driving hours on December 11th of that year. It didn’t take long for his profound commitment to serving others to shine through. His dedication grew quickly, and at one point, Frank was a constant presence on the road for us, generously giving his time two days a week, driving both Tuesdays and Thursdays to ensure veterans could get to their crucial appointments.
Since then, his dedication has been nothing short of extraordinary. He has logged an astonishing 1,746 volunteer hours, driven an incredible 30,434 miles, and most importantly, provided 981 vital transports for our veterans. Think about that for a moment: nearly a thousand times, Frank has been the difference maker. This isn’t just about transportation; it’s about connection. It’s friendly conversation on the way to an appointment and often finding lost connections from years ago, the steady presence that eases anxiety, and the quiet dignity afforded to each rider.
Frank has been with us through all the ups and downs, the challenges and the triumphs, always a steadfast presence. And we must also acknowledge the incredible support of his wife, Elaine, who has been there alongside him, sharing in his dedication and understanding the importance of this mission. Frank, on behalf of every veteran you’ve driven, every team member you’ve supported, and our entire organization, thank you. Your commitment is a beacon, inspiring us all. You embody the true spirit of selflessness that defines our program, and you are a true champion for the veterans we serve. – Transportation Director Stephanie Zeimetz
NE: The HSC for the Northeast region of the state, Dan Welsand, selected Bruce Hasforth as his 2025 Volunteer of the Year. He writes:
Each year, we recognize one of our volunteers who has gone above and beyond in their service to fellow veterans. The truth is, this is never an easy choice- many of our drivers give countless hours and miles to ensure veterans make it to their medical appointments. Bruce has been with our volunteer driver program for approximately seven years. Over the last five years alone, his dedication has been nothing short of extraordinary. Bruce has logged 37,801 miles and devoted more than 1,400 hours behind the wheel, transporting 485 veterans safely to and from the Minneapolis VA Medical center.
Those numbers represent far more than just miles and hours- they reflect Bruce’s steady commitment to service, reliability, and compassion. For every appointment he made possible, there is a veteran who received the care they needed, thanks to his generosity.
What makes Bruce stand out is not just the statistics, but the spirit behind them. He embodies the quiet dedication that defines the very best of volunteerism: showing up day after day, asking for nothing in return, and making a tangible difference in the lives of those who served our country.
While all our volunteers deserve this recognition, this year we celebrate Bruce. His service reminds us all that one person’s time and commitment can ripple outward- touching hundreds of lives and strengthening the veteran community as a whole. Thank you, Bruce, for your continued support.
SE: The HSC for the Southeastern region of the state, Adam Fink, nominated Greg Gabbert as his 2025 Volunteer of the Year. He writes:
Greg has been a volunteer driver for the DAV since 2021, and since the day I came onboard last November, he has stood out as someone I can always count on. Greg’s commitment is not just to the veterans he transports, it’s to the entire Winona program, where he has been the sole driver, ensuring that no veteran is left without a ride to the care they need.
He has gone above and beyond in his service. When I first met Greg, he personally took time to show me around Winona, introducing me to the community and sharing stories of the riders who depend on him. That introduction made it clear: Greg is more than a driver; he is a true advocate and friend to the veterans he serves.
Whenever I’ve found myself in a bind, whether it Is a last-minute appointment or a fellow driver calling out sick, Greg has stepped up without hesitation. From major medical appointments to something as small as a quick lab draw, Greg makes sure every veteran gets to where they need to go. His dedication ensures that those who serve our country never have to miss the care they deserve.
Greg’s record of service speaks for itself. This year alone, he has driven nearly 11,000 miles, transported 160 veterans and logged over 407 hours behind the wheel. That is thousands of miles of commitment, compassion, and care, miles that represent the lives touched and burdens lifted.
Greg is also a veteran himself, having served in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1971. After his military service, he worked at Fastenal for 30 years, and now in retirement, he continues to live out his values of service and dedication through the DAV.
It is for these reasons, and so many more, that I am proud to name Greg Gabbert of Winona as the SE Volunteer Driver of the Year. Greg, thank you for your service in uniform, your decades of work in our community, and most of all, for the compassion and dedication you continue to show our veterans each and every day.
METRO: The HSC for the Metro Region, Gary Wagner, has selected Stuart Johhnson as his 2025 Volunteer Driver of the Year. He writes:
Stuart only began driving for the DAV in November of 2023, but already, in less than 2 years, he has already made an extraordinary impact, logging over 18,000 miles and providing nearly 600 rides to veterans facing transportation challenges. These impressive figures alone speak volumes about his dedication.
However, as remarkable as these statistics are, they tell only part of Stuart’s story and are not the sole reason for being selected. As any of the other HSC’s can attest, the heart of our mission beats strong through the selfless commitment of volunteers. Stuart stands our as a beacon of this spirit. More than any other driver in the Twin Cities Metro, Stuart actively seeks out and embraces every opportunity to serve. His unwavering willingness to drive multiple times a week, whenever and wherever needed, plays a truly critical and indispensable role in helping us achieve our profound goal of ensuring no veteran is left without vital transportation.
Beyond the miles and the rides, Stuart embodies the very essence of DAV’s values. He consistently treats every veteran with the utmost respect, compassion, and dignity, making every journey a positive and reassuring experience. His professionalism and genuine care make him an outstanding ambassador and representative of our organization.
On behalf of the DAV, and especially the countless veterans whose lives you have touched, we extend our deepest gratitude. Thank you, Stuart, for your exceptional generosity of spirit, your invaluable time, and for giving back to our nation’s heroes in such a profoundly meaningful and substantial way.
Stuart treats each veteran with respect and dignity and is an outstanding representative of the DAV. Thank you, Stuart, for giving your time to us and helping give back in such a substantial way.
NW: The HSC for the Northwest region, Dan Wood, selected Frank Kuss as his 2025 Volunteer of the Year. He writes:
Frank was born in Strasburg, North Dakota, and from the very beginning, he embodied the values of hard work and dedication. In 1965, he enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard as a Private. Over the next 27 years, he rose through the ranks, retiring as a Major from the Minnesota Army National Guard- a journey marked by leadership, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to his country. Frank held command positions in Wahpeton and Fargo, and when a transfer to Bismark didn’t align with his values, he made the bold decision to join the Minnesota National Guard. That choice speaks volumes about the kind of man he is- principled, thoughtful, and always guided by what feels right.
But Frank’s service didn’t end with his military career. In 1968, he and his wife Ethel moved to Wheaton, Minnesota, where they raised four children and built a life rooted in the community. Frank spent 35 years as an educator in Casselton, North Dakota and Wheaton, Minnesota, shaping young minds and leaving a legacy in the classroom that continues to ripple outward.
After retiring from teaching in 2001, Frank didn’t slow down. He continued to serve others- working with Divine House and volunteering as a DAV Van driver. This wasn’t just a task for Frank- it was a mission. One of his brothers gave his life while serving in Vietnam, and Frank carries that loss with quiet dignity, channeling it into action. His volunteer work has been a tribute to his brother’s sacrifice and a reflection of his own deep sense of duty.
We honor Frank today not just for his titles or his years of service, but for the way he has lived: with humility, generosity, and a quiet resolve. He was a soldier, a teacher, a husband, a father, brother and a friend. And in every role, has given his best. Frank has driven over 7,000 miles and logged over 2,000 volunteer hours of his time for the Wheaton DAV program with his selfless dedication to helping fellow veterans! Thank you, Frank, for all you have done.