A Life Built on Curiosity, Leadership, and the Courage to Explore

A lifetime of discovery across many different fields has shaped Gary Dean Gullett into a man defined by adventure, experience, and lifelong learning.
Over the years, Gullett has served as a corporate executive, Hall of Fame basketball official, wildlife photographer, teacher, pilot, scuba diver, and African safari operator. While these careers may seem unrelated at first glance, they are all connected by a common theme: a deep curiosity about the world and a refusal to remain confined to a single path.
Gullett grew up in central Iowa in a family that valued hard work and responsibility. His father worked in construction before later managing a lumber business, while his mother was a lifelong Iowan selling World Book Encyclopedia. Together, they helped shape Gullett’s practical mindset and strong work ethic.
As a child, however, Gullett was never limited to just one interest.
He loved sports, enjoyed the outdoors, participated in scouting, and developed a passion for coin collecting. That interest in numismatics eventually earned him national recognition at a young age when he won first place in a junior competition held during the American Numismatic Association National Convention.
Athletics also became a major part of his youth. Gullett participated in several sports and was eventually named Senior Athlete of the Year in tennis during his final year of high school. Alongside his competitive nature, he also demonstrated discipline, focus, and a constant desire for self-improvement.
Those qualities followed him into college.
While studying business management at the University of Northern Iowa, Gullett also explored interests in coaching and photography. Like many students, he questioned which direction his future might take, but unlike most people, he pursued several passions at once.
During this period, he also earned both his private pilot’s license and scuba diving certification, reflecting an adventurous spirit that would remain central throughout his life. Years later, he continued his education by completing a Master of Business Administration degree at the University of Notre Dame.
Professionally, Gullett built a successful career in corporate America, working with companies such as John Deere, Westinghouse Electric Company, United Technologies, and Motorola.
His work focused on operations management, supplier systems, aerospace programs, and organizational leadership. Among the projects he contributed to were military aircraft programs involving the AV-8B Harrier and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The corporate environment was highly technical and demanding, yet colleagues often recognized Gullett for his calm demeanor under pressure and his ability to manage complex responsibilities.
Business success, however, represented only one chapter of his story.
At the same time, Gullett was building a respected basketball officiating career that would span more than thirty years. Across Iowa, Ohio, and Illinois, he became known as one of the region’s most trusted basketball officials.
He officiated numerous major games, including the Illinois State Finals, and in 2012 he was named Illinois Boys Basketball Official of the Year. His contributions to the sport were further recognized in 2025 when he was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame.
Still, awards and professional accomplishments alone do not fully define him.
Photography remained one of Gullett’s greatest passions throughout his life. He became widely recognized for his wildlife and landscape photography, with his work appearing in newspapers, educational publications, and even Mayo Clinic calendars.
Beyond artistic achievement, photography became a way for him to share the beauty of nature and connect people to the environment.
That passion eventually inspired him to establish Adventure Safari Network in 1999, a family-operated travel company specializing in safaris and wildlife tours throughout Africa, Alaska, and India.
His wife, Elizabeth, served as Chief Financial Officer, while his daughter Michelle became the company’s Marketing and Information Technology Director.
Education has also remained central to nearly everything Gullett has pursued.
Whether teaching photography courses at community colleges, training basketball officials, or speaking to students about conservation and global cultures, he has consistently focused on sharing knowledge and encouraging curiosity.
Through the Adventure Safari Network Foundation, Gullett uses stories, photographs, and artifacts collected from around the world to teach students about geography, wildlife, and environmental awareness in engaging and memorable ways.
What makes Gary Dean Gullett’s story especially compelling is not simply the number of accomplishments attached to his name.
What truly distinguishes him is the passion and enthusiasm he brought to each pursuit. Throughout his life, Gullett has embraced discovery, leadership, education, and adventure, building a life defined not by limitation, but by a willingness to explore every opportunity placed before him.