Gene was appointed President of the Foundation in April 2007. He has over 15 years of experience in higher education serving as an administrator, faculty member and advisor to student organizations. He has taught classes in leadership, public relations and communications, and his research or popular writing has appeared in publications as varied in Psychology and Education and Cigar Aficionado. Before coming to the ISU Foundation, Gene was the Executive Vice President at Midland Lutheran College, where he led a division responsible for admissions, alumni relations, athletics, communications, development and financial aid. He has a doctorate in education from the University of Virginia and MA and BA degrees from Western Kentucky University. He has worked for Western Kentucky University, Boy Scouts of America, Mars Hill College and Tidewater Community College. He is married to Cindy Smith Crume, and they have two children: Alexandra and Gene III.