Riki Ellison is the Founder and Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance; a non-profit organization launched in 2002 with a singular purpose and mission to drive for the deployment, development and evolution of missile defense.

Amongst the achievements of this organization are: the development and education of the American public towards missile defense throughout the country and around the world; high support now for missile defense with 89% compared to below 50% support eight years ago; creation and building oftwo historic missile defense and veteran public memorials. One memorial is located at Vandenberg AFB in California honoring President Ronald Reagan and the other located at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii which was dedicated by Senator Daniel Inouye. MDAA has advocated throughout our nation in 37 states as well as Europe, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Mr. Ellison has been interviewed and profiled in top media outlets including Bloomberg.com, the LA Times, the Washington Post, and the New York Times. He has also supported U.S. armed forces by visiting bases throughout our nation and in theaters around the world. Mr. Ellison participates in USO events in the Washington D.C.area with the Pentagon, Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for wounded members of the military.

In 2005, Mr. Ellison founded the Youth Impact Program (YIP) for disadvantaged, at-risk, adolescent boys in our nation’s inner-cities. Ellison serves as chairman of the program. Since its inception, YIP has worked with over a 1,000 9 to12 year old ‘At Risk’ boys from Los Angeles, New Orleans, Houston, Tampa and Syracuse in a free summer program which offers food, clothing, academics, life skills and athletic development to the participants. Private partnerships have included the National Football League, the University of Southern California, Tulane University, Rice University, University of South Florida and Syracuse University. The YIP Program has received two U.S. Congressional Resolutions, one from both the Senate and House of Representatives, for its work.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Ellison played professional football as a middle linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, winning three super bowls, reaching the playoffs during nine of his ten seasons. Mr. Ellison has been named Alternate All-Pro, All-Madden, All-Rookie and Defensive Player of week for the NFL. Mr. Ellison played college football at the University of Southern California, winning a National Championship and two Rose Bowls. He also won the Arizona State Championship at Amphitheater High School and was named Arizona State Player of the Year.

Born in New Zealand, Mr. Ellison now resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife. He has four children and travels widely across the country and throughout the world.