Gene is equally known for his civic activism as for his role as business leader. He is a California State Commissioner, and was appointed by former Governor Gray Davis to the California State Contractors License Board as well as to the Commission on Building for the 21st Century. Former Los Angeles Mayor Hahn also appointed Gene to serve as Chairman for both the Mayor's Infrastructure Commission on Building for the 21st Century as well as the City of Los Angeles Small Business Advisory Committee.

Gene has served on a number of other boards and commissions, including the California Department of Transportation Small Businesses Resource Board; Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission; Los Angeles Convention Visitors Bureau; U.S. Department of Commerce District Export Council; AT&T Technology Board; Children's Hospital Los Angeles; Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation; California Institute Advisory Board; the Los Angeles Urban League and was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the Historical Black College Advisory Board in 2004. Gene is perhaps most well known for his Chairmanship position with the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce.

Gene has also served as Chairman for the following associations: Black Business Association of Los Angeles; Federation of Minority Business Associations of Los Angeles; Congressional Task Force on Minority Business Development; and Century Freeway Employment Advisory Committee. He has additionally served as the Co-Chairman of the California Department of Corrections Advisory Board.

Advocating community activism, minority business development and entrepreneurship has been a part of Gene's mission, both personally and professionally. He has promoted these values by providing equipment and financial support to churches, charities, schools and local business organizations.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Gene earned his Business Administration degree from California State University-Dominguez Hills in Los Angeles.