Honoring: Captain Paul Defay

• February 18, 2017
  By Jacques Jean-Baptiste

Paul Defay is currently an Operations Manager at GE Power. He received his Electrical Engineering degree from Florida International University. He is a Certified Energy Manager, Certified Forensic Investigator, Certified Fire Explosive Investigator and a registered Professional Engineer in nine states. He has over 17 years of experience in depositions & testifying, engineering forensics, fire & lightning investigations, electrical power systems, and telecommunication systems. Paul has testified in federal court as an expert witness. Paul held different previous engineering roles: Generator Fleet Electrical Engineer, Electrical Forensic Consultant, Senior Electrical Testing Engineer, Power Utilization Engineer and Applications Engineer.

Paul enlisted in the Army in 2003 as a Combat Engineer and electrician where he maintained electrical systems and supervised a team of electrical workers. Paul is a 2005 Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. Currently, he is an Air Force Captain and one of 15 Engineering & Installations Chief Engineers worldwide. In that capacity, he oversees the engineering of telecommunication systems at military facilities in five states and overseas. Prior to this role, he served as a Space System Operator and cyberspace Operations Officer.

Honoring: Major Villiana Jean Francois

Villiana Jean François was born in Ile de La Tortue, Haiti and immigrated to the U.S. in 1983 when she was five years old. She grew up in various parts of Florida where she later graduated with a degree in Finance from U. Central of Florida. Two years later she enlisted in the US Marine Corps in Parris Island, SC and graduated in 2004 from Company Platoon 4022. Private First Class Jean Francois served as Personnel Administration Clerk in Okinawa, Japan. After moving up in rank as a Lance Corporal, she attended Officer Candidate School in VA.

Jean Francois graduated from the Officer Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant in 2007 and became a Supply Officer in Cherry Point, NC in 2008. Jean Francois was deployed to Al Asad, Iraq in 2009 in support of Iraqi Freedom. First Lieutenant Jean Francois transitioned to the Marine Reserve Forces in 2011. Captain Jean Francois returned to Georgia in active duty and was put in charge of over 150 men and women in to assist in rebuilding tornado damaged equipment. Jean was promoted to Major and joined the “M” club among few elite men and women.