Gary's fandom experiences started with the Starfleet International Chapter, USS Royal Sovereign in Orange Park, FL. Signing aboard as a mere member, it was only a few months later that he received his commission as an officer when he assumed the position of Communications Officer running the chapter's newsletter. Within six months he was applying for the position of chapter vice president when the chapter's VP moved from the area. Elected as ship's XO, he was promoted to Commander. Over the next two years he served as XO an attended many conventions and helping with security. After the club suffered from growing pains and the divergence of some of the member's interest, he applied to Starfleet Region 2 for his own chapter. Commissioned as Shuttlecraft Nebula and chapter in training, he and seven members of the Royal Sovereign split from the mothership and became their own chapter. Six months later at the Starfleet International Conference, Shuttlecraft Nebula was bestowed full chapter status and became USS Nebula. Gary was promoted to Captain and received his "fourth pip" from Sovereign's CO herself. After another six months as a full fledged chapter in Starfleet, it became apparent that the politics of the organization, the money mongering, the pettiness of the national leadership had no place in fandom. In the end it was apparent that Nebula had no place in Starfleet as well when the membership voted to go independent from the organization. Another six months saw Nebula go from independent to the designation as Maquis fan club and the eventual banding together with several other independent fan clubs, thus Maquis Forces was born. When overseas chapters joined the organization when the fan club went to the internet, the name changed to Maquis Forces International. Gary was appointed the "Force Admiral", Commander in Chief, Maquis Forces International and the fan club started to grow.
Recently, Gary announced his retirement as MFI's International Coordinator after calling for a first time historic elections process. Endorsing his successor, he campaigned for Admiral Rob Johnson, MFI's Chief of Staff at the time. Upon the installment of FADM Johnson as IC, Gary assumed the duties of MFI's Chief of Communication (CoC) and more recently MFI QUartermaster. As CoC publishes the MFI Newsletter Badlands. As Quartermaster, he spearheaded the design, production, and shipment of the MFI Echelon Badges. THis highly successful campaingn was followed on the heels by the campaingn to produce custome Maquis Rank Pins.
Gary graduated High School in Newark, Ohio in 1983. Entering the US Navy in December 1983, Gary was assigned basic training in Orlando Florida. Upon completion of basic training received follow on training for his rating (Navy job) at Naval Training Center, Meridian MS. Graduated training and received designation as Yeoman (administrative clerk) and assigned shore duty to United States Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk, VA as an clerk for Major General Norman Smith, USMC, Plans and Policy. Served as admin clerk and personal driver for the General and two of his successors. Transferred to sea duty to Patrol Squadron TWENTY-FOUR at NAS Jacksonville serving as Operations Yeoman and Squadron Admin Awards Petty Officer. Deployed to NAS Bermuda, NAS Sigonella, Sicily and NAS Keflavik, Iceland throughout the three year assignment. Transferred to shore duty to NAS Jacksonville to the Flag Administrative Officer for the Commander, Naval Base Jacksonville serving as Assistant Leading Petty Officer. Applied mid tour for the Enlisted Education Advancement Program, he was selected to attend College for the next two years to obtain an Associate Degree. Attending the Florida Central College of Jacksonville, he received his AS in Computer Information Systems Analysis before transferring to sea duty once again. Reported to USS DOYLE (FFG-39), a Guided Missile Frigate, deployed to the Caribbean for Counter Drug Operations three times, to the Persian Gulf for one Maritime Expeditionary Force deployment, and participated in many at sea exercises and inspections. Served as the Ship's Secretary (leading Yeoman), supervised the ship's Admin Office. Upon his 15 year career mark, transferred to Navy Recruiting District Ohio where he is the Senior Navy Liaison and the Enlisted Programs Department Supervisor at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Cleveland, OH. After three years in processing, requested transfer to become a field recruiter. Assigned as the NROTC Coordinator for the state of Ohio, he was responsible for finding qualified applicants to receive $150,000 scholarships to the colleges of the applicants' choice and eventual commissioning as officers. After two highly successful years in this position, Gary requested transfer to the Fleet Reserve and retired from active duty as of March 2004. He is now an the Dealer Support and Web Manager for a growing wholesale furniture business in Columbus, Ohio.
Gary's military decorations include, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, four awards of the Navy Achievement Medal, five awards of the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Joint Expeditionary Medal and several unit awards. Gary is married to the former Tracey Goodhue. They were married summer of 2009 and honeymoon'ed in the Bahamas. Gary has three children, Jeremy (1987), Christopher (1989), and Daniele (1997).
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Chief of Communications 14:12, 16 Aug 2005 (EDT)