Gerry brings over forty-five years of management experience to the CMSSL Board of Directors, from first level through company president, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, as well an impressive musical background. He was involved in establishing Clarkson Eyecare, Inc. and its franchise operations as well as instituting and expanding a full-service eyeglass lens laboratory. At Clarkson, Gerry was a partner for 20 years and served as company president, CEO and Chairman of the Board, taking the company from two locations to 64 locations in 19 years. He has held positions in retail store management, telecommunications operations, community relations, full-service primary eye care operations management and served as a government lobbyist.
Gerry has served on the boards of The Oklahoma Arts Institute, Ballet Oklahoma, Opera Theatre, and Clinton, OK. YMCA. He previously held positions as Music Director for Catholic Parishes in Oklahoma City, Moore, Oklahoma, and St. Louis. His community service includes Vice President of the Mount Vernon, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Past-President of Clinton, Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce and the Clinton Rotary Club, Volunteer Chairman for the LPGA Michelob Light Championship in 1998 and 1999 and numerous other non-profit groups and organizations.
Gerry graduated from Washington University, St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Theory and Composition. He continued his musical studies in keyboard at Fontbonne University and received a Master of Business Arts with concentration in Marketing from the University of Missouri, St. Louis. He later attended Harvard University, University of Kentucky, Carnegie Mellon University, and Boston College for specialized studies obtaining Certificates in Crisis Management, Executive Management, Community Relations, Conflict Resolution, Economic Development, Public Relations and Finance.
Gerry lives in Wildwood with his wife, Judy.