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Gregory R. Francis was born on August 30, 1951, on the island of St. Croix to parents Olric Francis and Hyacinth Wilson-Francis. He has six siblings, Olrick, Herbert (deceased), Kathleen, Howard, Milton, Kenneth, and Arthur (deceased), several of whom reside on St. Croix. 

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, Greg 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, Greg served in Germany, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. While in the military Greg served as a Command Program Support Specialist, Supervisory Military Personal Specialist and Recruiting and Retention Manager. 

Some of his responsibilities included providing executive level support in planning formulating, coordinating and implement Army National Guard programs within the Command Administrative Officer’s area of functional responsibility. Greg was also responsible for administering the State Internal Control Program and monitored implementation and execution of other sate level programs assigned, analyzed program effectiveness, identifying problematic areas, and developing and making recommendations to the Chief of Staff for program revisions and improvements. Greg also oversaw the accomplishment of the Educational Services Programs for the state. 

During his military service Greg acquired numerous awards and decoration 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. 

Greg attended the University of the Virgin Islands and received a certificate from the para-legal program in 1984. 

Appointed by the Governor, Greg served as Virgin Islands Director of the Office of Veterans’ Affairs from 1999 to 2001. In this position, Greg’s 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. 

Through his efforts, the need for veterans in the territory to wait for prescription drugs from Puerto Rico was eliminated. Pharmacists were established within the Veterans’ Affairs’ clinics on St. Croix and St. Thomas. He also implemented monthly visits of Federal Veterans’ Administration Counselors on St. Croix and St. Thomas from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. This change was done for the ease of veterans and their families.

Greg 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, Greg 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.

Greg listened and acted upon complaints from the residents of Mon Bijou who had been subjected to raw sewage on their properties for more than 20 years. As a result of his involvement, the problem was finally corrected. He then tackled and fixed similar problems in Estate Orange Grove, downtown Christiansted and downtown Frederiksted. 

As St. Croix Administrator, Greg served as the liaison to the Department of Public Works. He was influential in having numerous roads paved in many residential areas that had been neglected for over 20 years. The road projects also included the construction of proper drainage systems to prevent future road damage. Greg was also appointed by the Governor to the West Indian Company Board of Directors. Greg later served on the Financial Management team. 

Greg served as Chairman of the Governor’s Junk and Abandoned Vehicle program since its inception. This task force has coordinated and removed well over 2,000 cars in compliance with the rules of the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal and local agencies. Hazardous materials were also removed and disposed of in compliance with EPA rules.

During his tenure as St. Croix Administrator, Greg served as the Chairman of the V.I./Puerto Rico Friendship Committee for two years. He changed the concept of this annual event from fun and entertainment to culture and education. As a result, revenues increased from activities associated with the event. He was also instrumental in securing a grant for the St. Croix Drag Racing Association to install energy saving lights at its complex.

Greg’s reputation for community service involvement has spanned several decades and has included a variety of Virgin Islands’ and Crucian organizations. 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. Greg has 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, Greg 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. Greg’s 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.

Greg and his wife Cheryl have been married for 31 years, and he is the proud father of four children, one son and three daughters.