Prior to taking the helm of the American Cancer Society, Gary had a distinguished 37-year career as a healthcare business and advocacy leader—most recently as worldwide vice president, government affairs and policy, at Johnson & Johnson, where he spearheaded initiatives to influence global health policy. He previously devoted more than 25 years of his career to the business side of the industry, including senior leadership positions with SmithKline Beecham, Centocor, and Johnson & Johnson. During his tenure at Johnson & Johnson, Gary served as president of Ortho Biotech, a Johnson & Johnson company with annual revenues of more than $3 billion.
Gary’s nonprofit experience includes current board appointments for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, the National Health Council, Research America, and Emory & Henry College. He is an active member of the Georgia Tech Advisory Board and the Atlanta Rotary Club, previously served on the C-Change board of directors, and was a charter member of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer.
Gary is a past chair of the American Cancer Society’s volunteer Board of Directors and past chair of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network SM (ACS CAN) Board. He graduated from Emory & Henry College, and holds an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Arcadia University. He and his wife, Cindy, live in Atlanta, Georgia, and are the parents of two adult daughters, Katie and Stephanie.