commissioner Dr. Sidney Ellington
Vice Chairman, 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, Commissioner Ellington 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. 

Commissioner Ellington 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, Commissioner Ellington was awarded the 2016 American Legion National Education Award.  Previous noteworthy awardees include Tom Brokaw, Fred Rogers, and Former First Lady Barbara Bush. 

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