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Gregory R.
Francis was inaugurated to his second term as the Lt. Governor
of the United States Virgin Islands on January 1, 2011.
He is a product
of the Virgin Islands' public school system, having attended and
graduated from Christiansted Grammar School, Christiansted High
School, and the St. Croix Central High School. Immediately
following his high school graduation, Lt. Governor Francis
traveled to New York with the intention to attend trade school,
but because of a one year residency requirement he elected to
join the U.S. Army. During his 27 years in the military, Lt.
Governor Francis served in Germany, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin
Islands. While in the military, he served as a Command Program
Support Specialist, Supervisory Military Personal Specialist and
Recruiting and Retention Manager.
During his
military service Lt. Governor Francis acquired numerous awards
and decorations including the Army Meritorious Service Medal,
Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good
Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal,
National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal,
Armed Forces Reserve Medal W/ Silver Hourglass, Army Service
Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. He retired from the
U.S. Army/Army National Guard in 1999 with the rank of Chief
Warrant Officer 4.
Lt. Governor
Francis attended the University of the Virgin Islands and
received a certificate from the paralegal program in 1984.
Appointed by
the Governor, Lt. Governor Francis served as Virgin Islands
Director of the Office of Veterans' Affairs from 1999 to 2001.
In this position, his mandate was to compile data concerning
veterans, aid in their educational pursuits, assist with
employment and re-employment opportunities, and recommend
legislation to the Governor.
Lt. Governor
Francis served as the Administrator of St. Croix from 2001 to
2006 when he resigned to announce his candidacy for Lieutenant
Governor on the ticket with John de Jongh. For the five years he
served as Administrator, he distinguished himself by
establishing customer service standards and credibility in the
St. Croix Office of the Governor. By being proactive he ensured
that staff members were trained to be more responsive to the
needs of residents and visitors, thereby reducing the number of
complaints to the Office.
Lt. Governor
Francis' reputation for community service involvement has
spanned several decades and has included a variety of
organizations in the Territory. His personal affiliations cover
a variety of interests. He has served as a member of the
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Emancipation Committee, The
Crusaders Fraternity, Inc., and the Red Brick Reading Club. He
was the founder of Friends Helping Friends Fitness Club, a
member of the Ballet Folklorico of Hispanos Unidos, and a
sponsor of several Little League Baseball players. He has also
served as a Pearl of the Caribbean Lodge, and Deputy District
Grand Master of the King Solomon Grand Lodge of New York.
Drawing from
his extensive military experience, Lt. Governor Francis has been
involved with the Veterans Service Organization. He has served
as the First Vice Commander of the Myron G. Danielson American
Legion Post 85 on St. Croix. He has been a volunteer with the
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America.
He is the
person that the members of the Democratic Party of St. Croix
chose as their leader four years ago to build unity. His
commitment to the Virgin Islands Democratic Party has included
serving as the St. Croix District Chair, as a member of the
Territorial Committee, and as a member of the Virgin Islands
Delegation to the National Democratic Convention in Boston,
Mass., in 2004. Lt. Governor Francis and his wife Cheryl have
been married for 32 years, and he is the proud father of four
children, one son and three daughters.
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