Pronouns: He/Him

Rick Rietow is the founder of Costumers for a Cause. A lifetime volunteer and a member of several costuming groups, Rick was inspired to create CFAC when his daughter underwent heart surgery at Children's Hospital. He envisioned an organization where a variety of costuming groups could come together and a simple mission: making positive impacts in the lives of children. When not in costume, Rick is an Associate Partner at Project Consulting Group.

Affiliations: Minnesota Force, Minnesota Superheroes United, The Marauders MN
 

Pronouns: He/Him

Nick has loved all things geek for as long as he can remember but his fandom was Star Wars. His interests grew to include costuming and after moving to Minnesota from Iowa where he grew up, he discovered The Minnesota Force. He began actively trooping in 2017 and hasn't looked back. When not being a big kid and dressing up he works as a Civil CAD Technician.

Affiliations: Minnesota Force

Pronouns: She/Her

Laura is a Minnesota native with a long standing passion for volunteerism and costuming. Her favorite events include Star Studio at Children's Hospital and the NAMI Walk. She is the treasurer for Costumers for a Cause and has been a board member for four years. When not volunteering, Laura is a developer with Ingredient. 

Affiliations: Fairytale Friends of Minnesota, Minnesota Force

Pronouns: She/Her

Sara is a leader of Fairytale Friends of Minnesota and has been volunteering in costume since 2016. When not in costume for volunteer work or cosplay, she makes costumes professionally for theater.

​

Affiliations: Fairytale Friends of Minnesota

Pronouns: She/Her

Christa has always loved dressing up as favorite characters and bringing joy to children of all ages. She is a co-leader of Fairytale Friends and a member of the CFAC fundraising committee and the programming and events committee. Some of her favorite events include Gracie’s Cupcake Trot, Kid’s Clubhouse with The Dude, and Stomp Out Suicide. 

Affiliations: Fairytale Friends of Minnesota

Pronouns: He/Him

Jonathan Palmer is the most avid comic-book reader and superhero expert on the planet . . . or so his friends believe. In reality, he has been collecting and reading for 40 years, has seen nearly every comic-book movie and most cartoons, and is a fount of obscure superhero knowledge that would make Dwayne McDuffie smile. By day, Jonathan is the executive director for Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Inc., an historic 91-year old African American nonprofit social-service agency open to everyone. That led Jonathan to create Project Superhero, an initiative that uses comic books and superheroes to create positive life outcomes for at-risk kids and to promote literacy and civic engagement for all youth. By night, Jonathan patrols the streets of Gotham (or more likely Minneapolis) with MN Superheroes United.

Affiliations: Minnesota Superheroes United, Minnesota Force

Pronouns: He/Him

Erich has been a Star Wars fan since 1977, and caught the cosplay bug after buying a Stormtrooper kit in 2016. He enjoys giving back to the community and especially loves the charity aspect of the hobby and making kids smile. Favorite events include Kid’s Clubhouse at Children’s Hospital, Minnesota Special Olympics, and Make a Wish appearances. When not trooping for the Empire (or the Rebellion), Erich is a Store Design Engineer for Target Corp. and is also a volunteer scout leader for Scouts BSA. He lives in Victoria with his wife Colleen and twin boys.

Affiliations: Minnesota Force

Pronouns: He/Him

Mike York is an avid 80s and 90s pop culture and comic book nerd. He started cosplaying as a Ghostbuster in 2017 and loves doing charity work. He works with adults with disabilities and dabbles in video production.

Affiliations: North Star Ghostbusters