Gary Allen Wood is the President and CEO of the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) where he successfully managed the school through the turbulent aftermath of Hurricane Katrina back to full enrolment.

His past positions include Executive Director of Da Camera of Houston, Senior Director and Director of Education and Partnership with the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and Director of Education and Outreach for the Minnesota Orchestra. In these positions he created and managed many education programs, emphasizing outreach to area public schools. His duties included managing general operations including board activity, business operations, community relationships, fundraising and personnel management.

Gary holds a Master of Music from the University of Minnesota and is certified in Music Education for grades K-12. Gary has served on the boards of the Young Audiences of Eastern Pennsylvania and the Minnesota Youth Symphonies. He was an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania and was awarded Minnesota Community Educator of the Year by the Minnesota String Teachers.