For Jonathan Beltran, service isn’t just a job—it’s a calling, a legacy, and a deeply personal mission. A man whose path has traversed continents and career fields, Jo, as his friends and family call him, has forged a life rooted in discipline, compassion, and purpose. Born in the Philippines and arriving in the United States at age 10, his American story began with a crash course in resilience. “My grandparents told me I couldn’t speak Tagalog in the house,” he recalls. “If you want to learn English, immerse yourself.” And immerse he did.
Today, MSG Beltran is a U.S. Army veteran with over two decades of service, a full-time leader at the Department of Veterans Affairs, a business partner at Synergy HomeCare of Eagan, and—above all—a devoted husband and father. His is a story of balance in the extreme, where patriotism meets entrepreneurship, and family meets a formidable work ethic.
MSG Beltran’s military career has shaped nearly every facet of his identity. Joining the Army Reserves at 17, he embarked on a journey that would not only provide a career but also deliver one of his proudest personal milestones—his U.S. citizenship. In a moment etched in memory, he was naturalized on the Fourth of July in Baghdad in 2007, with Senator John McCain personally handing him his certificate. “It was one of the most powerful moments of my life,” Beltran says.
His deployments to Iraq tested him physically and emotionally. “By the time my son was five, I had been deployed for almost half of his life,” he shares. The weight of separation and sacrifice eventually reoriented his priorities, especially after experiencing the emotional toll on his family. That awareness has evolved into a core tenet of his leadership: “Be the leader you want to follow,” he says—a principle that guides his roles as a mentor to young soldiers and as a business owner supporting caregivers and clients alike.
Jo’s military experience also found a natural synergy in the private sector. As co-owner of Synergy HomeCare of Eagan, a business inspired by his wife Bri’s deep background in caregiving, he brings strategic insight from an unexpected source—his time in psychological operations. “The easiest way to explain it is marketing for the Army,” he adds. “But we don’t sell products; we sell ideas.” That mindset has allowed him and Bri to craft deeply personalized care plans for clients, often using creative and compassionate methods to win trust and build dignity.
Their shared mission in caregiving is personal and powerful. “Some of my proudest moments are just sitting with older veterans,” Jo says. Whether assisting with a home assessment or filling in during a last-minute shift, he treasures the opportunity to connect, listen, and say thank you. It’s a full-circle moment for a soldier who once sought citizenship through service and now serves those who walked before him.
Despite juggling multiple high-demand roles, Jo’s unwavering center is his family. With his military career nearing its twilight after 23 years, he now invests time and energy into nurturing his sons, mentoring younger soldiers, and supporting Bri’s vision and leadership of Synergy HomeCare of Eagan. “We chased my dreams for years,” he says. “Now it’s time to chase hers.”
When asked what a perfect day looks like, Jo paints a portrait of simplicity and presence: cooking a family breakfast, a solo session at the shooting range, a workout, video games with his kids, and an evening unwinding with his wife. “It’s therapeutic,” he says. “And grounding.”
In a world that often celebrates titles and accolades, Jonathan Beltran’s story reminds us that the true measure of success lies in impact—in lifting others, leading with integrity, and choosing presence over prestige. Whether mentoring troops, empowering caregivers, or parenting with intention, he exemplifies a modern kind of heroism—one born not from grand gestures, but from daily devotion to service, love, and legacy.