Meet The Commission

Members

commissioner Robert Allen
Chairman, At Large Representative

Phone: (405) 523-4000

Commissioner Rob Allen is a native Oklahoman, attorney, real estate broker, and business leader. Over the course of a ten-year career, Commissioner Allen served two tours in Iraq, completed his undergraduate degree at University of Central Oklahoma, and achieved the rank of Captain. Over that same time, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and numerous other medals, badges, and citations. In 2009, he resigned his commission to pursue a law degree and focus on raising a family.

Commissioner Allen graduated magna cum laude from Oklahoma City University School of Law and went to work as an in-house litigation attorney for Fortune 500 energy company. In 2017, he founded what has grown to be one of the largest, highest producing brokerages in Oklahoma. In addition to serving on the state Veterans Commission, Allen is the local Chapter President for the Association of the United States Army and Chairman of the Board for the Warriors for Freedom Foundation. He is also a Life Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Military Officers Association of America, and National Guard Association of Oklahoma. Mr. Allen is married and raising his four children in Oklahoma City—where they are parishioners of Christ the King Church.

commissioner Dr. Sidney Ellington
Secretary, At Large Representative

Phone: (405) 523-4000

Sidney Ellington is a retired Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) Officer, and for the past 10 years he has been working in the veteran service organization (VSO) space in roles such as Director of the Veterans Initiative for Teach For America, the Executive Director of the Warrior-Scholar Project, and is now serving as a Strategic Advisor to the Mark Divine Courage Foundation. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1985 and was commissioned as an Ensign through the University’s ROTC program.

His 20-year active duty Naval career included tours of duty with SEAL Team THREE, Naval Special Warfare Group ONE, the 7th Fleet Command ship USS BLUE RIDGE, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team ONE, Special Operations Command-Pacific, and Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet. After retiring from active service, Sid spent time on the staff of the Joint Special Operations University as a Special Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) and participated in exercises and staff training events at commands such as the US Special Operations Command, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and National Defense University.

Sid holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma, an MA in National Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, an MA in International Relations, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Oklahoma. He is also a certified member of the Society of Human Resources Managers (SHRM).

In recognition of his contributions to veterans in the field of education, Sid was awarded the 2016 American Legion National Education Award. Previous noteworthy awardees include Tom Brokaw, Fred Rogers, and Former First Lady Barbara Bush.

Sid is married to Toni J. Ellington, Esq. Toni is the Director of Legal and Product Compliance at Paycom.

Commissioner Brett Martin
Vice Chairman, The American Legion

Phone: (405) 523-4000

In September of 1961, Brett Martin was born to Roger and Georgia Martin and was raised on a 400-acre livestock and grain farm near Hornick, Iowa. Brett was selected to attend Iowa Boy’s State and later graduated from Woodbury Central High School in 1980. He went on to attend Morningside College for one year and worked various job until he enlisted in the U.S Navy in 1986.

Upon graduating with honors from Aerographer's Mate Al School he reported for duty at the Naval Oceanography Command Detachment, Naples, Italy. While in Italy, Brett earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of New York. He received his commission from Officer Candidate School in May of 1992. Following Surface Warfare Officer School and Engineering Officer of the Watch School, he was ordered to the destroyer USS HARRY W. HILL (DD 986) where he made two Persian Gulf deployments and achieved his Surface Warfare Officer and Engineering Officer of the Watch qualifications. He went on to serve at United States Strategic Command, Offutt AFB. He then attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., where he received a dual Master of Science in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography in December 2002. He then reported to USS BOXER (LHD 4) where he served as the ship’s Oceanographer and Senior Watch Officer and made two surge deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I, as Senior METOC Officer for Amphibious Task Force West and Operation Iraqi Freedom II. From March 2005-2007, He served as the Officer-In-Charge Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Professional Development Detachment, Pacific. From 2007-2009 and then served at Commander Third Fleet as Fleet Oceanographer, Operations Officer, and Executive Assistant to Commander Third Fleet, Vice Admiral Hunt. He then assumed duties as Commanding Officer Strike Group Oceanography Team, San Diego in November of 2009 until the command was disestablished in November 2010, when he assumed duties as Executive Officer, Fleet Weather Center San Diego.

In April 2011, Brett reported to Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command where he served as Director for Undersea Warfare, Assistant Chief of Staff for Warfare Programs and Integration, and Maritime Operations Center Director. In March of 2016 Brett reported to Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, MS where he served as the Military Deputy for the Marine Geosciences Division. After wearing the cloth of our nation for 31 years he retired from active duty on 31 December 2017.

Brett and his family reside in Oklahoma City where he is an active member of the Department of Oklahoma American Legion. Brett’s military decorations include Legion of Merit Medal (gold star), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two gold stars), Navy Commendation Medal (four gold stars), Joint Service Achievement Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Navy Achievement Medal (three gold stars), and various theater, sea and service medals.

Commissioner Kevin Offel
At Large Representative

Phone: (405) 523-4000

Commissioner Offel currently serves as Lead Independent Board Director, Executive Chairman and Board Director for several private equity portfolio companies. Mr. Offel has previously served as President, CEO, and COO of several successful private healthcare services businesses. In March 2018, Mr. Offel was appointed as a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), serving under Secretary Dr. Mark Esper, Secretary Ryan McCarthy, and Secretary Christine Wormuth. He also currently serves as the President of the West Point Class of 1996 and as Board Director for the West Point Alumni Society of Central Oklahoma.

Mr. Offel is a 4th generation Armed Forces Veteran and served simultaneously alongside his father (Air Force), older brother (Air Force/Army National Guard), and younger brother (Navy). Mr. Offel graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1996 and he was subsequently commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Aviation Branch.

Upon completion of flight training and qualification in the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, Kevin was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Ft. Hood, TX, where he served as Executive Officer, Flight Platoon Leader, Assistant Operations Officer, and Logistics Officer. As a Pilot-in-Command (PIC), he participated in a multitude of missions in various types of rotary-winged aircraft, including the Bell 206 Jet Ranger, OH-58 Kiowa, and UH-60 Blackhawk. Kevin received numerous awards and decorations during military service and is both Airborne and Air Assault qualified.

After military service, Mr. Offel attended Goizueta Business School at Emory University where he received an MBA. Kevin is an active member of the Association of the U.S. Army, the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, First Wave (Service Academy Graduate Business Leaders), and the OKC Chapter of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization). He is also an Ambassador for the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame and volunteers for several Veteran-focused charitable organizations. An accomplished pilot, he holds both a Commercial Helicopter Instrument and Private Airplane Single Engine Land certificate from the FAA.

Kevin and his wife of 20 years, Heidi, live in Edmond with their two sons.

Commissioner Daniel Orr
Oklahoma National Guard

Phone: (405) 523-4000

Daniel “Scooter” Orr is originally from Jacksonville Florida. After high school he served honorably in the United States Marine Corps and the Utah National Guard. Commission Orr holds a Bachelors Degree from Columbia Southern University in Occupational Health and Safety.

Commission Orr is on a mission to improve the health and wellbeing of the many veterans that reside in the great state of Oklahoma, and is diligently working to improve veteran resources.

Commissioner Orr has dedicated his civilian work to the health and safety of workers in the oil and gas sector. Three years ago, Dan started Titan Safety Consulting Services, where he helps companies change their safety culture and increase worker safety. Currently Daniel is the Environmental, Health and Safety Manager for Basin Engineering located in Oklahoma City.

Commission Orr was transferred to Oklahoma 8 years ago from Utah… “This is my home now Boomer!”