As president, Gary coordinates AIKCU’s legislative, public policy, advocacy, fundraising, and cooperative activities. He is a highly visible advocate for independent higher education in Kentucky and makes fundraising appeals to corporate and foundation leaders on behalf of independent higher education and student scholarships. Gary works closely with state and national public policymakers and higher education agencies to promote the interests of independent institutions and their students.

Gary holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Morehead State University. He completed his master’s and Ph.D. in political science at the University of Kentucky.

Before becoming president of AIKCU in 1997 Gary served as the Acting President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). He was the Executive Director of the Council on Higher Education (the precursor to CPE) from 1986-1997, where he helped set the stage for postsecondary reform in Kentucky and assisted in the drafting and passing of House Bill 1. He served with the Council from 1977-1997, with a few brief stints in other government areas and one as Dean of Kentucky State University’s School of Public Affairs. Before transitioning to state government in the mid-70s he served as a professor of political science at Morehead State University. He stayed in touch with his academic roots as an adjunct faculty member in KSU’s School of Public Affairs from 1974-1997.

Gary is active in numerous education, civic, and community organizations, including: the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) – Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation (KHESLC) Boards of Directors; Leadership Kentucky Board of Directors; Kentucky Conference of Presidents (a statutory body composed of all public university presidents and the president of AIKCU); Kentucky Gifted and Talented Advisory Committee; National Postsecondary Education Collaborative Executive Committee; State Data Advisory Committee, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems; National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities State Executives Executive Committee; and the Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital Board, where he has been a member since 1992 and currently serves as Vice Chair. Selected previous appointments include: the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence; Chair of the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program Board of Directors; Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service; and Southern Regional Education Board member; and Kentucky Board for Elementary and Secondary Education.

Gary lives in Lawrenceburg with his wife Linda, works out regularly and enjoys keeping up with four daughters and six grandchildren.