Francis has a varied background that includes owning a small business, political consulting and working in government. He served on active and reserve duty with the United States Marine Corps where he retired with the rank of Colonel. He is a Naval Aviator and flew combat missions in the first Persian Gulf War and was deployed to the Middle East in 2003 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Francis has an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of West Florida. He is currently the President of the Civitas Institute and Civitas Action.