He is expected to take over the reins of Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club in November, when his first priority will be developing a budget and staff. Upon retirement he then served as president of Wichita State University until the end of 1998. He is currently Interim President of Eastern Kentucky University until November, when he will join Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club. In 1993, the Arizona Board of Regents awarded him the Regents Medal. He was also honored as Flagstaff Citizen of the Year in 1988.
Gene likes the idea of starting the championship golf course community from scratch.
He's done this sort of thing before, having been primarily responsible for launching NAU's School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. The school is considered a national leader in the hospitality training. Golf course management isn't really new to him, considering his role at EKU and Wichita State's as president overseeing the university's 18-hole golf courses and concessions. I see it really as a culmination of my career, sort of the frosting on the cake, he says. Throughout my entire career in higher education, it's been my responsibility to meet and greet people.