Jake Ellzey was raised in Perryton, Texas and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1992. A career Naval Aviator, he flew the H-60 Seahawk helicopter, F-14 Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet.
He participated in the opening strikes on Tora Bora, Afghanistan and deployed with Navy SEALs in Iraq in 2006 in Ramadi. In addition, he was a Social Aide at the White House for the George W. Bush administration. Jake completed his service in the Navy as the Air Boss on the USS Ronald Reagan, participating in tsunami relief in Japan and then conducting air support in Afghanistan.
Upon retirement from the Navy, Jake has been a Commissioner on the Texas Veterans Commission, a commercial pilot, and Chief Executive Officer of HoldFast, a public speaking/professional development organization that exclusively utilizes military/special operations veterans and first responders to inspire and engage corporate and other audiences. He is married to Shelby and they are the parents of two young Texans.