Gary Schlack was born and raised in southeastern Michigan. His father, "Big" Gary, owned a home repair company and was a veteran who served during the Vietnam War. His mother, Karen, was primarily a homemaker and the daughter of a Big Three tool-and-die machinist who served during World War II. As a teenager, Gary was a regular volunteer in the community, led the debate team, and was elected class president in his senior year at Holy Redeemer High School by one vote.
After graduating from high school, Gary studied political science and business at Michigan State University. At the end of his sophomore year, hostilities in the Global War on Terrorism reached their height, and Gary decided to postpone his education to enlist in the United States Army. It wasn’t an easy decision, but one he felt was his obligation to our country. After returning home, Gary further delayed his education and became his mother’s home healthcare provider after her diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Thankfully, she recovered! However, Gary’s father was suddenly diagnosed with kidney and lung cancer. Unlike Gary’s mother, his father lost his fight mere months before the passage of the Affordable Care Act. With his mother’s recovery in remission, Gary returned to school and became the first member of his family to earn a college diploma.
Gary started his career as a substitute teacher, where he witnessed firsthand the dedication and sacrifices teachers endure. Yet, as the economy slowly recovered, the reality of finding a full-time job as a social studies teacher in Michigan looked bleak. Unwilling to leave Michigan, Gary decided to look for employment outside of education. After exploring different careers, Gary chose to work in the transportation industry. Today, Gary is a business manager at DHL Supply Chain.
Gary is happily married to his beautiful wife, Bridget. Together, they are raising their two sons, Gary Jr. and Frankie. Along with their sons, the Schlack family consists of two boisterous cats, Snowshoe and Charlie.
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Gary is actively involved in the community. He is a Knights of Columbus trustee at Father Saylor Council # 3774 in Allen Park, a member of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Msgr. Francis Van Antwerp Assembly # 0475 in Wyandotte, and a member of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church and the American Legion.
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As part of the Allen Park City Council, Gary is the City Council advisor to Allen Park's Downtown Development Authority, the City of Allen Park's Representative to the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, and a member of the Michigan Municipal League. Additionally, Gary sits on two City Council Committees: Economic Development and Legal Affairs.
