Gary Hines was raised in the Cascade mountains of northern California.  After working summers in the building trade through high school, he began seasonal work with the U.S. Forest service in fire and recreation while attending college.  After graduation, he spent a few years with an acoustic folk group in San Francisco and wrote a film score for the 1974 Spokane World's Fair.  

He eventually accepted public information work on a national forest in California and freelanced as an audio/visual consultant.  The latter included sound design for professional theatre productions and some acting opportunities.

Twelve years later, in 1988, Pinchot, written and developed by Gary, found an audience.  He was soon performing it around the country.  That led to a reassignment to Grey Towers National Historic Landmark, Gifford Pinchot's ancestral home, where Gary eventually became its deputy director.

He has received many awards for his work, including the Department of Agriculture's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, and a national merit award from former Forest Service Chief, Mike Dombeck.

In 2001, Gary changed careers and "retired" from the Forest Service but still performs this version of the production.  He currently lives in northern California near the Oregon border.  He is the author of several published books for children, as is his wife, Anna Grossnickle Hines, a professional author and illustrator.  They have three grown daughters.