Paul Friday
pfriday@defensealliancenc.org
910.690.1860
About Paul Friday
I have had a unique experience of working at multiple levels of both government and industry, viewing endeavors from multiple perspectives and have taken pride in visioning how pieces have or will fit together while retaining a strong appreciation of: (1) innovation and outside the box thinking where necessary or desired by leadership and members; and, (2) staff development, working to reach consensus with others, and in determining the right mix of tools to engage on each opportunity and challenge. After all, the goal is, with patience and perseverance, to achieve success.
Past leadership and members of the NC Military Foundation (NCMF) and the NC Defense Business Association (NCDBA) have much to be proud of and the merged team of professionals is committed to continuing the great attributes of each while building new strengths resulting from this extremely important and timely merger. The North Carolina Defense Alliance is powerfully positioned at the intersection of state, military, industry, and academic interests and I am honored to help move all forward.”
Summary Biography
In January, 2019, Paul retired from Marine Corps Installations East-MCB Camp Lejeune as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff G7 and as the Director of its Government and External Relations (GER) Division. His duties included shaping strategy and implementing programs to ensure the military’s ability to test and train while supporting compatible economic development and building strong partnerships at all levels of government, with nonprofit and academic institutions, as well as the private sector.
He has served on a variety of federal, state, regional, and local trade and policy groups and with numerous local Chamber and Military Affairs Councils. Core objective has been to work at the regional and State levels to assist in strengthening our military in conjunction with growing this Nation’s economy.
Among other past experiences, Mr. Friday worked more than a decade for an independent, private, not-for-profit firm that assessed manufacturing, environmental, and IT technologies for potential benefits to our military and industrial sectors. Prior to that, he worked in Washington DC for nearly 16 years with the US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), serving in senior management positions to address a wide range of national and global resource and economic challenges and opportunities. His business career started with assignments at the NC General Assembly and with the NC Attorney General’s Office working on various legislation and consumer affairs related assignments.
He has been married for over 40 years to Catherine (Kaye), graduated from North Carolina State University, and enjoys fishing, card games, and golf.