Michael Gery

BA 1966, History
MA 1968, Indiana University

Executive Assistant to Governor (Retired), State of Indiana
West Lafayette, IN

Michael Gery was elected to the Indiana State Senate in 1974 and was re-elected five  more times, retiring in 1998. While in the Senate, he served on the five-member State Budget Committee for twenty years, six years as chairman. Among the many Senate committees Gery served on during his career were the Senate Finance committee and the Senate Education Committee. Some his legislative accomplishments were his sponsorship of a major education reform bill under Governor Orr in 1987; the creation of Prophetstown State Park in Tippecanoe County, which opened in 2004; and the approval of many buildings at Purdue (a major role of the State Budget Committee).

In 1998, Gery retired from the State Senate and joined Governor O’Bannon’s staff as Executive Assistant. While there, he worked on economic development legislation, including the creation of the 21st Century Research and Technology fund; the expansion of community health centers; a new agency created to reduce tobacco use; and, major tax restructuring. Gery was appointed by Governor O’Bannon to the Indiana Deferred compensation Committee, he served as chairman. He also served as the Governor’s liaison to Indiana’s several pension funds.

Gery has served in many volunteer capacities. He has been on the board of the Greater Lafayette Community Foundation, which he chaired for two years and co-chaired a YWCA building fund drive. He has served on Purdue’s Nursing Advisory Board and Purdue’s Technical Assistant Program. Currently, Gery serves as a member of the Tippecanoe County Parks Board and volunteers at a youth golf camp, Food Finders, and Miller Elementary School in Lafayette. His hobbies include golf and cooking.

Gery has received several honors including being awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by Governors Evan Bayh and Frank O’Bannon; the Order of the Griffin-Purdue’s highest non-academic award by President Steve Beering; and, the President’s Award from the National Association of State Park Directors for his leadership in the creation of Indiana’s newest State Park, Prophetstown.

Mike and his wife Carolyn have 3 sons and 6 grandchildren.