Major Tedd Ells was hired July 30 to be the new Director of Veteran's Services for St. Louis County.

Tedd Ells

"In a way, I've always wanted this," Ells said about his new position. "As a friend of mine said, 'so you finally have your dream job?'"

It's been a busy road for Tedd leading to this position. After graduating high school in 1986 from Northwestern in Maple, Wisc., Ells knew college wasn't where he wanted to be.

"I wasn't ready for college. It was never on my radar, I couldn't stand high school to be honest. I went into the military. The Navy wasn't my first choice. My first choice was the Air Force. But I was a wild kid and I had some things that they didn't want to deal with."

Ells went to his second choice which was the Navy where he spent seven years active duty as an avionics technician.

"My final cruise was on the Saratoga back in 1994. Why that is important in this role, is because when I left the Navy I lost that camaraderie that I had with those military folks that I was serving with. When I came back to this area I was a young man, and I didn't have a lot in common with anybody. Now in this role I'm dealing with veterans every day."

With a Fond du Lac Band member in the role of Director of Veteran's Services, I asked what impact that could have for FDL Veterans.

"Fond du Lac being close to Cloquet which has two phenomenal Veteran's Services Officers, who are doing a great job. But I will say that if you don't feel you're getting the service you should get, come on in. The bottom line is what we see often is folks that didn't realize, myself included, that you're eligible for different benefits," Ells answered. But some of Fond du Lac does fall in St. Louis County as well.

"Knowing that Cloquet is in good shape, I wouldn't have any issues sending someone there, but they're more than welcome to come here if they want. Also Brookston would be included in St. Louis County."

Ells is proud of where he's from and he is so thankful for the help he got from his Band to get him where he is today.

"As a Fond du Lac Band member I can openly state that if it weren't for Bonnie Wallace, who was the Scholarship Director at the time, putting me in that position for success, and the funding from the RBC to make my education happen, specifically two Masters they paid for. I don't think I'd be in this position."

Minnesota is one of the better states in terms of benefits for Veterans, but having someone like Tedd has already made it a more personal experience. "Working with other Veterans in itself brings a unique dynamic to the role, because you all have different experiences in yet it's a common experience with serving. Those folks coming in the door, that's why they're so important because they served. I just roll out the red carpet. We try to be sure that every time that someone comes in our office that we say, and again as they're leaving, 'thank you for your service.' When I hear it, it's humbling."

Ells has always been a hard worker. In 2005 while working in Texas, he was honored with the Medical Services Airman of the Year for his work helping in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

During his time there, when things were at their worst in the wake of the storm, Ells had a crucial understanding.

"I ended up having a wakeup call while there and realized family is very important. And to be close to family so that when a situation like that happens, you have a wider net," Ells said of his experience. "They were completely reliant on other people helping them, there wasn't that family element. So we moved back."

In Minnesota, 25% of Band members serve. It isn't just Fond du Lac, but Native Americans from any Band. That means a large number of Veterans are Band members who live in the state of Minnesota.

Ells also wanted to thank Bonnie, as well as Veronica, Scholarship Assistant, and Shelley West, Scholarship Director as he prepares to begin work towards a doctorate while working to help Veterans in St. Louis County.