Biography

About Garry

After graduating from Rutgers University in New Jersey with a Bachelor’s Degree and then obtaining his Master’s Degree from Yeshiva University in New York, Garry came to Fresno in 1982 to attend graduate school. In 1983, he met and married his wife Susan, who has lived in Fresno since she was a teenager. In 1985, he obtained his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in Fresno. Wanting to serve his country, he became a Lieutenant in the United States Navy and served for three years as a clinical psychologist. He and Susan then returned to Fresno in 1988 where Garry, a self-employed professional, maintained a private practice. In 1992, he began working at the Fresno Veterans Hospital and provided psychological services to veterans until 2019. Susan recently retired as a primary teacher with the Fresno Unified School District.

Susan and Garry raised their three children in Fresno. The focus and incredible joy in both of their lives has always been their family. Their daughter now makes children’s animated movies for a major film studio while their two sons are lawyers.

Veteran

Garry proudly served in the United States Navy from 1985-1988. He was a Lieutenant and was stationed for one year at The National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, which is considered one of the nation’s largest and most renowned military medical centers. He was then transferred to the Naval Medical Clinic in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he worked with both Marines and Naval personnel. With tremendous pride, Garry served veterans for 27 years as a psychologist at the Fresno Veterans Hospital.

Community Leader

In the mid to late 1990s, Garry and Susan like so many other people were alarmed by the high crime rates, unemployment, and the overall negative direction Fresno was headed. In order to help make the city safer, Garry ran for and was elected in 1997 to the Fresno City Council. Because of his efforts and the efforts of other Council Members and the Mayor, tremendous positive strides were made in Fresno. The city became safer as hundreds of police officers were hired, greater emphasis was placed on traffic enforcement, Fresno became an All-America City, graffiti was significantly reduced throughout the city, and parks and green space were increased. Garry’s strong and principled leadership mitigated the long history of poor planning and urban sprawl. He worked tirelessly to enhance the downtown area by supporting the new Exhibit Hall, Federal Courthouse, expansion of the Regional Medical Center, and building of the downtown baseball stadium. Since Garry has returned to the City Council, he has continued his history listening to all sides of an issue and then always making a principled decision on what is best for the people of District 6 and Fresno.