Governor Jerry Ellis is a member of the Carmi Lions Club. He joined the McLeansboro Lions Club in 1994 and transferred to the Carmi Lions Club in 1999. Governor Ellis has served as Club President, membership committee, Lion Tamer, Tail Twister and Board of Directors. He has served on the District 1-CN Cabinet as Zone Chairman, M.E.R.L.O.W. Team Chairman, District fundraising and Vice District Governor.

Governor Ellis retired from 24 years in law enforcement with the city of McLeansboro and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department.  He served 15 years as a volunteer fire fighter for the city of McLeansboro. He helped organize the McLeansboro EMT Association and helped raise funds to buy rescue equipment. Governor Ellis is a member of the Masons, Eagles and Sons of the American Legion.

Governor Ellis was born in Eldorado, Illinois to the late John and Celestial Ellis and lived on a farm near McLeansboro until he graduated from McLeansboro High School in 1961. He worked several years in the automobile repair business and in 1982 started his career in law enforcement with the city of McLeansboro and the Hamilton County Sheriffs Department, retiring in 2006. He has six children, two step children and fifteen grandchildren.