Born and raised in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Gary started his architectural career in 1985 as an apprentice Architectural Technician with Findlay A D Wildridge Chartered Architect, a sole practitioner in his home town. In 1989 he began studying at the Robert Gordon University Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment in Aberdeen, Scotland, graduating in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture and in 1997 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Architectural Studies. During his academic years, Gary was recognized with 8 awards including The City of Aberdeen Medal for Civic Architecture, the GRADUS National Award for Design Detailing and the RIAS Sir John Burnett Memorial Award. Upon graduation he went on to win 2 national competitions - the Glasgow Institute of Architects Stobcross Crane Competition and the University of Strathclyde Millennium Garden Competition, a built commission which was opened by Donald Dewar, First Minister of Scotland on the 10th September 1999.
In 1997 he joined the Architects Registration Board, became a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. He is also a member of the Scottish Association of Architect Artists.
Gary practiced in the city of Glasgow working with Keppie Design, ADF and Honeyman Jack & Robertson before joining the newly established practice of Gareth Hoskins Architects. During his time there he worked on a number of groundbreaking and award winning projects including the Mackintosh Interpretation Centre, Edinburgh Prison Visitors Centre and the Durham Light Infantry Museum. The firm was awarded Young Architectural Practice of the Year in 2000.
Later that same year, Gary and his wife and first son, moved to Grapevine, Texas where he took up employment as an architect with Booziotis and Company Architects in Dallas, Texas before joining HKS Architects in 2003 where he currently holds the position of Vice President. In 2007 he was recognized by the Robert Gordon University Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment as one of the top 25 outstanding graduates during their 50th year anniversary celebrations and that same year, awarded Outstanding Project Architect of the Year by HKS Architects.
Gary and his family currently reside in Fairfax, Virginia.