Gary grew up on a farm in Southwest Iowa near Avoca and graduated from Avoca High School. He went on to college and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State University and got his Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration and Adult Education from Iowa State University.

Gary spent his entire career in the education field, starting in Marshalltown as the Coordinator of Continuing Education for the Iowa Valley Community College District. He held many different positions over the course of his 41 year career in education; including working as an adjunct faculty member, Dean of Continuing Education, Vice Chancellor of Community Development, and Executive Director of External Affairs.

Gary has won numerous awards in education. Some of his awards include the Outstanding College Administrator Award, the President's Distinguished Service Award, and the Outstanding Community Service Award among many others.

Gary has a long list of community involvement. He was on the Board of Directors and was Chairman of the Board for the Riverboat Development Authority, Board of Directors for the Davenport Chamber of Commerce, served on the Quad City Development Group Rock Island Arsenal Task Force, and was a member on the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Currently he's a board member for the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and a board member of the Downtown Davenport Partnership. In 2012 he was appointed by Governor Branstad to the Iowa Public Information Board and was reappointed in 2014. In 2013 he was elected as an Alderman-At-Large in Bettendorf. He's a member of Asbury Methodist Church.

Gary is married to his wife, Jane. They have four adult sons who all live in Iowa. In addition, they have five grandsons and one granddaughter.