Originally from Casablanca, Morocco, Sidney Ettedgui immigrated to America in 1972 after receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics from Ort University in Lausanne, Switzerland. For the last 40 years, Sidney has lived and worked in Southwest Florida and currently serves as Document Development Unit Manager with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MSO), where he also runs all Foundations affiliated with the Agency. Ubiquitously known as the “go to” person at MSO, Sidney has been an International Crime Prevention practitioner for over 30 years, implementing over 60 innovative Crime Prevention Programs. From 1994 to 1996, Sidney served as President of the Suncoast Crime Prevention Association, during which time the Association was recognized as the #1 Crime Prevention Association in the State of Florida.

Sidney is a member of the state’s anti-terrorism task force and served on Governor Jeb Bush’s gubernatorial transition team in 2006. Sidney is President and CEO of FLIGHT TO THE NORTH POLE (FTNP), a non-profit organization benefiting terminally ill children and their families across FL. Over the course of the last 36 years that Sidney has been involved with the charity, FTNP has directly sponsored and benefited between 150 and 400 children annually, providing not only a generous Christmas experience for financially strained families but much needed medical equipment and handicap-accessible support.

Favorite quote: “Work for a cause…not for applause. Remember to live your life to express, not to impress, don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.” — Grace Lichtenstein