Raised in Long Island, Elwell graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs from the United States Air Force Academy in 1983.

[3] Elwell joined Airlines for America (A4A) in 2013[4] where he was the Senior Vice President for Safety, Security, and Operations.

[3] Elwell also served as the Senior Advisor on Aviation to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao.

[2] President Donald Trump appointed Elwell FAA Deputy Administrator in June 2017.

[2] In an interview with Reuters in October 2020, Elwell announced he would resign from his position around the end of November.