9115 S. 75th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74133-6306
Council Cell 918-931-1466
johnny-kidwell@cherokee.org
Speaker of the Council
At Large District
Council of the Cherokee Nation
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.)
Johnny Jack Kidwell, a native Oklahoman born in Claremore and raised in Spavinaw, is a dedicated public servant and retired military officer. He is serving his second term on the Cherokee Nation Council, representing over 332,000 citizens worldwide. He serves as Chairman of the Rules Committee, is a member of all council standing committees, and is a member of the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes. Johnny served one year as Secretary of the Council and, in September 2025, was honored to be elected by his peers as Speaker of the Council.
His distinguished career in public service began in 1991, when he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and, after more than 20 years of honorable service, retired as a Lieutenant Commander. Kidwell's military career encompassed a wide range of critical, high-stakes assignments worldwide. His operational expertise included intelligence, law enforcement, and humanitarian missions, both shoreside and at sea.
In 2008, he was selected for a classified assignment within the U.S. intelligence community, providing executive-level support to worldwide maritime initiatives. In this role, his efforts were critical to national security, contributing to four successful capture-or-kill operations against high-value terrorist targets in Southeast Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Kidwell's exemplary service has earned numerous decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals. He is a proud recipient of the Cherokee Medal of Patriotism and an inductee into the U.S. Coast Guard Officer Candidate School "Wall of Gallantry" for valorous service in high-risk overseas operations.
Johnny’s military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary & Service Medals, Advance Boat Forces Operations, Cutterman, Coxswain, Commanding Officer Afloat, and a State of Oklahoma Personal Citation. Johnny is a proud recipient of the Cherokee Warrior Medal of Patriotism and was inducted into the U.S. Coast Guard OCS “Wall of Gallantry” for distinguished and valiant service during high-risk operations overseas.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and three master’s degrees: an M.Ed. from San Diego State University, an MBA from Southern Nazarene University, and an MLS IPL from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Johnny resides in Tulsa, OK, with his wife, Charybel, and their two sons, Jonathan and Joseph.