Gary earned the Proficiency (PPSA) Distinction in 2011, the Excellence (EPSA) Distinction in 2013, and the Master (MPSA) distinction in 2014. He earned his Grand Master (GMPSA) in 2016. He has completed both the PSA Image Analysis Course and the PSA Judging Certification Course. He has judged numerous local and area photo competitions, including those at the Nevada Camera Club, S4C End of Year, and the Red Rock National Conservation Area Annual Photo Contest. He has judged the PID Color sections of the S4C International Exhibition in both 2015 and 2016. He currently serves as the Commentator for Digital Study Group 40 (DSG 40) Infrared Photography. He frequently presents a program on Infrared Photography in the Digital Age. Gary served in 2016 as the Vice-Chair for Outreach for the Southern California Roundup Chapter before relocating back to Indiana.
Gary earned the Artiste FIAP (AFIAP) from the Federation Internationale de L'Art Photographique in 2013 and received the Excellence FIAP (EFIAP) award in 2015 and the Excellence FIAP Bronze (EFIAP/b) award in 2016. He earned his SPSA in 2018.