Dr. Gary Deel
Director of Research, UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
E-mail: gary.deel@ucf.edu
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Gary Deel is a polymath with a strong record of career success in several industries including hospitality management, higher education, legal work, and professional consulting, and a mastery of knowledge in several other academic areas including aerospace studies, psychology, sociology, and criminal justice
Gary has spent more than 15 years as a professor at various institutions, including Valencia College, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Colorado Technical University (CTU), Kaplan University, the Art Institutes (Ai), the University of Central Florida (UCF), American Public University System (APUS), Colorado State University (CSU), and University of Florida (UFL), and Thomas University (TU). Gary has developed and taught courses in business, hospitality, leadership, ethics, law, professionalism, sales and marketing, engineering, maintenance, culinary arts, human resources, space studies, astronomy, and other academic areas. Gary currently serves as Professor for the APUS School of Business, and as Adjunct Professor for the hospitality and business programs at UCF, CSU, UFL, and Thomas University.
Prior to and concurrent with Gary’s academic work, he spent nearly ten years in hospitality management and leadership working for prestigious companies including Disney, Rosen Hotels, Picsolve, Merlin Entertainments, and Wynn Resorts. Gary has also worked in the legal arena as an attorney, consultant, and expert witness, assisting lawyers with a variety of hospitality-related litigation support services.
Gary holds 14 college degrees including two doctoral degrees, six master’s degrees, three bachelor’s degrees, and three associate’s degrees in various different subjects. Gary has also held a multitude of licenses and industry certifications, including bar licenses in Florida, Nevada, and the District of Columbia, and dozens of professional credentials.
Finally, Gary is an accomplished author, having published more than 500 blogs, podcasts, videos, and peer-reviewed articles for various media outlets and platforms. He has also been interviewed for newspapers, magazines, periodicals, podcasts, and televised news segments.