Gary was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia.  He attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  He then studied entomology at the University of Kentucky where he obtained Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.  He later obtained two post-doctoral master’s degrees:  a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in health administration from Columbia University in New York City; and a Master of Arts in Special Studies (Philosophy and Social Policy) from George Washington University, in Washington, DC.  He currently is Executive Director of the Southwest Virginia Graduate Medical Education Consortium (GMEC) at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.   Gary’s previous full-time posts include the following:  District Director of the Northern Kentucky Health Department, Chief of Staff for the Ohio Department of Health, Associate Professor of Health Care Sciences at the George Washington University.  He has numerous publications and professional accomplishments/recognitions.