Dee Jones

First Sergeant Daila Espeut-Jones was born and raised in Jamaica until the age of 15 years old.  In 1979, she migrated to Boston, Massachusetts and later joined the Army in 1982 where she served on active duty for 22 years.  First Sergeant Espeut-Jones retired in 2004.

During her military tenure, she served in many positions around the world which includes Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Training Non-Commissioned Officer, Customs Supervisor, Plans Supervisor, Area Support Team Leader, Korean Linguist, Senior Transportation Supervisor, First Sergeant and Acting Transportation Division Sergeant Major. She was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in 2003 while deployed to Southwest Asia and also the Legion of Merit in 2004 upon retirement. Her additional military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (w/ 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Ribbon (2ndAward), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (w/Numeral 3), Overseas Service Ribbon (5th Award), Drivers and Mechanic Badge, Expert Weapon Marksmanship Badge,  German Silver Marksmanship Badge, and Parachutist Badge.

First Sergeant Espeut-Jones currently serves as Secretary, Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Board of Directors. She is the Immediate Past Chair of the Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council, Past President of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Sunshine Chapter in Orlando, active member with Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Orlando, National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 4287, Orange County Veterans Treatment Court Mentorship Program, serves on the Board of Directors at Samaritan Resources Center, and Florida Governor’s Women Veterans Fact Finding Committee member. In 2015, First Sergeant Espeut-Jones was selected as one of Orlando Business Journal’s Veterans of Influence. In March 2020, she was recognized by Congressman Darren Soto at the US House of Representatives during Women’s History Month.  In September 2020, First Sergeant Espeut-Jones was selected as a Florida Veterans Hall of Famer but due to covid was formally inducted on 27 April 2022 at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee. In 2021, she received the first Citizen of the Year award from her employer, ZELTECH, LLC.

In addition to her numerous organizational affiliations, she represents the Orlando community by being a veteran’s advocate and volunteering over 20 hours per week assisting other veterans, active-duty service members and citizens in the community. First Sergeant Espeut-Jones cooks and provides meals for the homeless at Samaritan Resources Center in Orlando. She frequently participates in local television and radio shows advocating on behalf of active-duty service members, military veterans, and their families.

First Sergeant Espeut-Jonesis the Founder and CEO of Green 2 Grey, LLC. Green 2 Grey was born from the idea of touching and changing veterans’ lives. Her work focuses on helping active-duty service members, veterans and their families connect with available resources in Central Florida. First Sergeant Espeut-Jones is currently pursuing a PhD at Liberty University in Public Administration. First Sergeant Espeut-Jones is one of the co-authors of Amazon’s best seller, Girlz Run the World in Pearls.