Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, University of Dayton.

Who has been a significant influence in your life and career? My parents. They always found a way to give me an opportunity to learn and to serve. When I started playing French horn in elementary school, they would make sure I had lessons—even if it meant late evenings and early mornings. When I was accepted to college, they found a way to make sure I was able to go, despite being a 16-year-old freshman in a school several states away. 

What drives/inspires you? Anyone can take something, but the true test is giving back. I rarely say no when asked to help, because that’s how I was raised. And I hope to continue that in my job and my community.

Do you have a favorite motto? Grow what we do, not lose who we are. 

How do you unwind? Challenging myself. Last year, I set a goal of running a half-dozen half-marathons in under three hours. I finished them all and added Bloomsday. I've also tandem skydived twice on my last two birthdays. 

Philadelphia native Gary Stokes' 27-year broadcast career encompasses TV news reporting, running newsrooms, producing newscasts, and managing TV stations across the U.S., including in Norfolk, Virginia; Birmingham, Alabama; and Houston. 

Stokes joined the Spokane public broadcasting station KSPS as the executive director in August 2011. He was named president and general manager in September 2013, when the ownership of KSPS transferred from Spokane Public Schools to the Friends of KSPS. Now, the station covers one of the largest market areas in the nation, serving as a educational community tool for more than 2 million households throughout the Inland Northwest and western Canada.

Stokes currently serves on the boards of Spokane Public Library and MultiCare Foundation.