Learn Leadership from the Best Leaders

LTC Fred DuFault is honored and proud to be the Gopher Battalion PMS.  He is a Senior Army Aviator who is a 1995 South Dakota State Distinguished Military Graduate.  He is a graduate of the Army Commanding General Staff College and earned an MS from Kansas State University in 2007.  

MAJ Mitchell Ruedebusch is a native of Huron, South Dakota. He accepted an ROTC Scholarship to attend the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology where he received his Army Commission in  Field Artillery and a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1995. He received a Master's of Art Degree in Management and Leadership through Webster University in 2009.

He has over 14 years of active service with a deployment to Iraq and is currently an Army Reservist with the 4-413th Regiment (SROTC). 

Major Jon Dotterer is a native of Osseo, MN.  He enlisted as a 19D Cavalry Scout two days after graduating from high school in 1988, serving four years enlisted  in Germany on active duty.  He commissioned as a Armor Officer from the Wisconsin OCS Military Academy, and  received a Bachlor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Stout in 1996.

Mr. Tim Adams is a native of Mankato, Minnesota, and began his military career in the United States Navy after receiving his commission through NROTC at the University of Notre Dame in  South Bend, Indiana. He also holds a Master’s degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University. Mr. Adams served as a naval aviator for 21 years, retiring in 2008 after serving in numerous roles and completing several deployments. In 2010, Mr. Adams joined the Minnesota Army National Guard as a Military Intelligence Officer, serving as the Assistant G-2 for the 34th Infantry Division at Rosemount, MN. Mr. Adams serves as the Battalion’s Administration and Supply Officer.

Mr. Greg Heller is a native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 2009 he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Management Communication, and commissioned as a Military Police officer in the National Guard through NDSU’s “Bison Battalion”. Mr. Heller is currently pursuing a Masters of Education in Youth Development Leadership from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Mr. Heller has deployed to Kosovo, and is the current commander of the 257th Military Police Company (Rear-Detachment). In his spare time, he enjoys riding his motorcycle, doing PT, and spending time with his family.

Mr. Leard is originally from Chicora, Pennsylvania and now resides in Lakeville. He began his military career as an ROTC cadet at the Pennsylvania State University. He was commissioned as an Active Duty Army Officer and assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers.  He holds a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Engineering from Penn State and a Masters Degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri - Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology).  He had over 10 years of Active Duty service and 11 years of service in the Army Reserve.  He did one tour of duty in Germany and deployed to Operation Desert Storm, Operation Restore Hope (Somalia), Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). He retired from the Army Reserve in August, 2010.

MSG Dempsey is originally from Bryson City, NC. He entered the Army on 01 August 1009 as a 19D Cavalry Scout. He has had numerous deployments, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Egypt. His previous assignemnts include Germany, FT Hood, FT Stewart, FT Carson, FT Knox, and FT Campbell.

MSG Dempsey comes to the program from Carson, CO where he was serving as 1SG of a Cavalry Troop deployed to Afghanistan.

SFC Ryan Phillips began his military career in 1995 when he joined the Army Reserve straight out of High School, departing for Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA two weeks before his High School Graduation Ceremony.  After one year in the Reserve Component he transferred to Active Duty. He has completed four operational deployments in support of global operations dating back to 1997; most recently as part of Operation Enduring Freedom VIII-IX in Afghanistan.

Mr. Lykens is a native of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Mr. Lykens began his military career 29 days after his high school graduation in 1987.

Jana is a native of Meeteetse, Wyoming. In 2003, she enlisted as an administration specialist and deployed in 2004. Jana pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Psycho-biology from Hastings College and received a direct commission in 2008. She is currently serving in the Reserves.

A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Susie Wottrich has recently completed her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Latin American Studies from DePaul University in Chicago.  She joined the AROTC team in 2011 as a University employee.

Shanna Young is a native of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.   She comes from a military background where both of her parents served in the Army. She applied for the civilian government Human Resources Assistant position at the University of Minnesota Army ROTC in the Spring of 2005 and left the Army in July 2005 when she was hired.  Shanna provides all of the personnel management for our assigned cadre, as well as numerous personnel actions for our cadets – most notably, she assists in the administrative tasks associated with contracting cadets and commissioning our newest graduates.

One thing is certain for every cadet in Army ROTC, they need stuff. Whether it's uniforms, rank, boots, or paper to print out a midterm, John is the man who meets everyone's needs. John Joyner, a native of St. Paul , Minnesota , entered the Minnesota Army National Guard in May of 1969. He retired from the Military after 30 Years of Service as SFC, effective 1 Sep 99.