Gene currently serves as an Educational Consultant for the Four Corners (New Mexico) College and Career Pathways Partnership: College and Career Ready for a Transition Energy Future. In collaboration with ConnectED CEO Gary Hoachlander, Gene provides educational guidance for a consortium partnership of five school districts, three colleges, local businesses and the Navajo Nation on their Career Technical Education journey to re-imagine and align high school/college dual credit courses with the technical and soft skills needed for a future green energy workforce economy.

Before joining the ConnectED team, Gene served in a wide capacity of educational positions, including teacher, principal, and superintendent. Known as both a first and second order change expert and a strong believer in strategic planning, Gene guided school districts to three National Title 1 School Awards, two National Blue-Ribbon School designations, a National Civic Star and a National Magna Award. A strong believer in a systems approach to building safe and supportive schools, two school districts achieved national Advanced ED/Cognia Systems Accreditation. In addition, Gene served as a Cognia Team Lead and/or Member for school system’s accreditation for domestic (United States) and international school.

Recently retired after a 49-year career in education, Gene was named to the 2022 New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders “Hall of Fame” and presented the New Mexico Cognia “Excellence in Education” award. Prior to his move to New Mexico, Gene worked in Washington State where he was named as a 2006-07 Robert J. Handy “Most Effective Administrators” and a 2002 Washington Library Media “Superintendent of the Year.”