Minnesota National Guard Selects First Air Guard Leader for Senior Enlisted Position

MEDIA ADVISORY: For Immediate Release
Nov. 8, 2022

Minnesota National Guard Selects First Air Guard Leader for Senior Enlisted Position
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Thursday, the Minnesota National Guard will conduct a ceremony that
appoints the first Air Guard leader in more than 166 years to the most senior enlisted position in
the Minnesota Guard.

“I’m very proud to be selected as the voice of the enlisted,” said Air Force Command Chief
Master Sergeant Lisa Erikson, Incoming Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL), Minnesota
National Guard. “I have a great network of senior leaders within the Minnesota National Guard,
both Air Force and Army, whom I have collaborated with in the past. I plan to continue with
that momentum to provide more professional development to the Airmen and Soldiers within the
Minnesota National Guard at all levels.”

The CSEL is an advisor to the Guard’s adjutant general and communicates the commander’s
directives to the enlisted service members while also serving as the senior representative for
enlisted views and concerns. Erikson will assume the duties and responsibilities from Army
Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Soper.

Erikson has held various duty assignments throughout her 34 years of service and brings a
wealth of knowledge and proven leadership to the position. Erikson becomes the second female
to hold this position, but this is the first time the role of CSEL will be held by a member of the
Air Force since the inception of the Minnesota National Guard 166 years ago, in 1856. Erikson
brings a diversity of gender and experience, a branch of service diversity, and the ability to look
at the organization through a different lens.

Distinguished visitors from the Minnesota National Guard’s State Partner, Croatia, will be in
attendance.

Editor’s Note: Media members are invited to attend the event on Thurs., Nov. 10 at 11 a.m.,
located at the Cedar St. Armory, 600 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. Media can RSVP to Maj. Jackie
Stenger at 651-282-4670 or jackie.l.stenger.mil@army.mil.

About the Minnesota National Guard –

Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than
13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers
and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars,
protect the country, respond to state emergencies, and contribute to local communities. For more
information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.
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