Gary began working as the science liaison in the Directors Office in April 2021 after leading the agency’s natural resource science team. Gary has worked in pesticide programs for over 30 years related to enforcement, chemigation, water quality, endangered species protection, quality assurance, and education. Gary serves on various climate change and natural resources policy committees and has worked to support new state programs related to soil health and carbon farming. Gary serves as the chair of the State FIFRA Issues Research & Evaluation Group (SFIREG). Gary earned a Bachelor of Science in forestry with a minor in soil science, and a Master of Science in water resources from Iowa State University.