Careers & the Disabled Employee of the Year: Benjamin W. Sides

Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Supervisory Special Agent Benjamin (Ben) Sides has been named by Careers and the Disabled magazine a 2021 Employee of the Year for his professional and advocacy efforts on behalf of people with disabilities in the workplace and in the community. The award was officially announced during a virtual ceremony by Equal Opportunity Publications. 

Sides attended the University of Cincinnati and received a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services in 2014.

Sides is a diplomatic security special agent who is now a supervisory special agent, deputy regional security officer at U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security. 

However, years before his current position came to be, he became disabled after losing his right leg above the knee after being struck by a truck in Antananarivo, Madagascar in November 2003 while on duty as the Embassy Regional Security Officer.

In addition to being an advocate for the disabled, he has a had a long and fascinating career in security and law enforcement with DSS, having been posted at U.S. embassies throughout the world, including several high-threat posts.

Read the article

Feature photo at top provided by Sides.