Gary has 35 years of experience in market research and strategic planning for over 145 United Ways throughout the United States and Canada. He is the creator of the Issue Focus Model, a business model for United Ways based on choosing a significant social issue to impact, deciding how best to impact the issue, asking for the money to do it, and measuring progress toward the bold goal.
He is one of the co-founders of Perspectives Consulting Group, a southwest Michigan-based research and strategic planning consultancy. He has conducted research studies with over 250,000 United Way donors and facilitated more than 100 transformation planning sessions with United Way board and staff members. He has spoken on community impact, resource development, and marketing topics at over 40 state and regional United Way conferences.
He earned his degree in marketing and management from Western Michigan University. He has served on the board of his local United Way and serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations. His previous experience includes nine years in the news department at WMUK 102.1, the NPR affiliate in Kalamazoo, Michigan; serving as the executive director for the National 24 Hour Challenge, and as an official for the United States Cycling Federation.