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BETHANY, W.Va. – The Paragon Universe, an innovative company known in the aviation industry as Paragon VTOL, is pleased to announce that its founder and visionary lead officer, Dwight Thanos Smith, will be visiting Bethany College to speak with students on Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Smith, an entrepreneur and inventor, is a Jamaican American and former Purdue University student-athlete who has made significant strides in various industries. From building a motorless glider aircraft at the age of seven, to founding groundbreaking companies, Smith has emerged as a successful entrepreneur and visionary in aviation and sustainable technologies.

Founded in 2018, Paragon VTOL aims to address traffic congestion issues through its cutting-edge electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company has been building partnerships, acquiring clients, and developing patented technologies that span multiple sectors, ranging from carbon-free energy to materials that melt ice on exterior surfaces.  

Recognized as one of USA Today’s Top 20 Entrepreneurs Building Empires in 2023, Smith has a remarkable background in aviation and marine biology, which has influenced the solutions developed within The Paragon Universe. The company is currently working on a nine-passenger VTOL aircraft to revolutionize transportation over long distances using proprietary technologies. 

Some notable achievements within The Paragon Universe include reducing airframe production time from weeks to minutes, collaborating with world-leading auto manufacturers, and developing materials that increase the strength of airframes while generating more power with minimal environmental impact. 

In addition to Paragon VTOL, Smith owns Green Tech Energy Company (GTEC), Clearport Worldwide, and NV Motor Group, each contributing to Paragon’s mission of sustainability and innovation. Clearport technology, for instance, enhances road strength, supports multi-modal transportation hubs, and enables wireless charging for vehicles. 

The Paragon Universe has established partnerships with prominent Fortune 100 and 500 companies such as Siemens, Sirqul, and Baker Energy. Smith emphasizes collaboration with academia, with plans to hire up to 90 percent of the workforce through educational institutions, particularly focusing on millennials and Generation Z. 

Bethany College is honored to host Smith and provide students with the opportunity to learn from his inspiring journey and insights into the future of innovation and sustainability. 

For more information about The Paragon Universe, visit their website