John "Hobbit" Boyd

Biography

Hobbit is a Life Member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® and has been instrumental in the development of CVMA® Minnesota since joining in February 2011. Appointed as Minnesota State Representative in May 2011, he helped establish the state's first chapter, 48-1 in Spring Lake Park, on June 6, 2011. His first term concluded in June 2013, but he continued serving the organization at the chapter level as Secretary and later Commander.

Throughout his membership, Hobbit has served on several national committees, including as Chairman of the 2024 National Convention Committee, where he coordinated with chapter, state, region, and national leadership to host members from across the country in Rochester, Minnesota. He returned as Minnesota State Representative in March 2025, continuing his commitment to strengthening the organization, supporting its chapters, and serving fellow combat veterans throughout the state.

Hobbit served 23 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard, beginning his military career in October 1998 as a Military Policeman. During his 2009–2010 deployment to Basrah, Iraq, with the 34th Infantry Division, he served as a Sergeant and led the Division IT Service Desk, overseeing technical support for division staff and their computing and network systems. He later transitioned from the Signal Corps to Air Defense Artillery, deploying to Kuwait in 2018 as a Battle Systems Manager responsible for radar operations and regional air-defense coordination within CENTCOM. He retired in January 2022 as a Sergeant First Class.

Beyond the CVMA®, Hobbit remains active in organizations supporting veterans, military families, and the community. He has served as a counselor for the Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp, founded Nonprofit IT, and serves as Finance Officer for American Legion Post 98 in St. Paul Park, Minnesota.

Professionally, Hobbit is a Group Architect at Xcel Energy, where he leads a team of project architects supporting commercial operations, technology initiatives, and business systems across the company's operating organizations.

Across his military career, professional work, and volunteer service, Hobbit has remained committed to building effective teams, supporting those who serve, and strengthening the organizations that bring veterans together.