Although not a cranberry grower, Gary Kirking has had a long association with the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center.

Gary is the campus administrator for Western Wisconsin Technical College in Tomah. In his role as a rural economic development specialist, Gary provided assistance to Peggy Anderson when she was planning to open the Cranberry Expo, the predecessor of the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center.

Gary has worked with over 300 companies in Western Wisconsin to enhance their business operations. In 1999, he was honored by former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson for his entrepreneur and rural development work.

Along with assisting entrepreneurs in Western Wisconsin, Gary has presented programs for business owners in Russia, Denmark and Ireland. He was the first American invited to lecture at the European Rural University.

Gary is pictured (at right) presenting the 2004 WWTC Entrepreneurship Leadership Award to the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center’s Board of Directors. Accepting on behalf of the board is WCDC Director Lorry Erickson.