Dr. Kevin Gerdes is the Director of the Master of Public Affairs (MPA), and a member of the graduate faculty at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs where he teaches courses on executive leadership, management, and capstone programs.
Prior to joining the Humphrey School in 2012, Gerdes served for 33 years with the Minnesota National Guard as Commander at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels. After commanding soldiers in Iraq, he returned to help nationalize Minnesota’s “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon” program to help soldiers and families reintegrate after returning from combat. He culminated his career as Chief of Staff and then was promoted to Brigadier General for the 34th “Red Bull” Division.
Gerdes holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Upper Iowa University, a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas. He and his wife, Mickey, are long-time residents of Mahtomedi, MN. They have two sons and daughters-in-law. Tyson is a US Army Infantry Captain currently stationed in Germany, and Lauren is a former US Army Captain who flew medevac in Afghanistan. Patrick and Marti are living and working in the Minneapolis- St. Paul metropolitan area, and enjoy fostering service dogs for Can-Do Canines.