Sandra Best

Sandra "Sandy" L. Best (born 1964) is a retired Minnesota Air National Guard officer who served as the Chief of Staff of the Minnesota Air National Guard, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Minnesota, the interim Adjutant General of Minnesota, and the Deputy Adjutant General for the Minnesota National Guard. Best is the first woman in the history the Minnesota National Guard to hold the rank of Brigadier General.

Early life and education Best was born in 1964 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and grew up in Hudson, Wisconsin. Best's father served in the United States Marine Corps while both of her grandfathers served in the United States Army.

Military career

Enlisted career At 20 years-old, Best enlisted in the Minnesota Air National Guard in 1984 where she served in the 133rd Airlift Wing. Best rose through the enlisted ranks to the rank of Technical Sergeant before attending officer training at the Academy of Military Science at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base. From March 2021 to September 2022 Best served as the Chief of staff to the governor of Minnesota Tim Walz.