experience in civil and environmental engineering, specializing in air quality, regulatory compliance, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). He has served with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) since 1998, where he currently leads as the UAS Program Representative and Professional Engineer I in the Division of Emergency Management. In this role, he oversees more than 35 certified pilots and 80 registered aircraft, manages compliance with federal and state aviation regulations, and directs UAS operations for emergency response, training, and environmental monitoring.

A pioneer in integrating UAS technology into environmental and emergency response work, Gary has been instrumental in developing NYSDEC’s UAS program, training over 1,200 operators across state and federal agencies, and advancing the use of aerial data for law enforcement, engineering, and environmental analysis. He also serves part-time with the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services as a Senior Training Technician, instructing specialized UAS courses.

Gary earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Union College and an A.S. in Mathematics and Science from Hudson Valley Community College. In addition to his engineering credentials, he is a certified Private Pilot and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot.