Gary grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, catching fireflies in mason jars. He’s spent the decades since trying to hold onto that particular quality of attention — in classrooms, in boardrooms, in leadership teams, and now on the page.
He holds a doctorate in education and spent more than three decades leading California schools and school districts — as a counselor, a principal, a district superintendent, a county deputy superintendent, and a statewide arts leader. He now spends his days consulting, coaching, and writing about the magic possible at the intersection of creativity and connection.
He lives in Palm Springs, where he’s active in the arts community, publishes the weekly Letters2Leaders newsletter on LinkedIn, and walks his long-haired Chihuahua, Picasso, beneath the brilliant desert stars. He still collects moments of wonder — just like those fireflies in his backyard when he was a kid.
