Gary has been privileged to own ALR property on the south end of Salt Spring for nearly 50 years. He contracted and worked as a construction labourer on his modest island home. He has three children – Eren, Amber, and stepson Owen.

Except for 4 years serving as MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, he has lived here full time since 1989. Gary is an economist by background and before his election at age 53 as Salt Spring’s CRD Director, he worked for over 25 years as a consulting economist on such projects as the fisheries component of the Nisga’a Treaty and land and resource management planning that doubled Crown land protection in BC.

Gary has held positions in a number of community organizations and as an elected official, including:

• Chair, Islands Trust Advisory Planning Commission
• Board member, SSI Conservancy
• Board member, The Land Conservancy of BC
• Co-Founder, South and West SSI Conservation Partnership
• President, SSI Abbeyfield Society
• Member, Salt Spring Ferry Advisory Committee
• MLA Saanich North and the Islands (2013–2017)
• Salt Spring CRD Director (2002–2008; 2018–2026)
• Served on CRD Parks, Environmental Services, Hospitals and Housing, and Electoral Area Committees
• Vice-Chair, Local Community Commission, 2023–2026