Gary Maclean grew up in Northern B.C. and in the Saguenay region of Quebec. After completing his B.Sc. Physics degree at Loyola of Montreal (Concordia), he began a lengthy career in the oil and gas industry. His range of roles included technical roles as a geophysicist, geophysical research at the Amoco Production Research facility in Tulsa Oklahoma and 16 years of management level roles for several major oil and gas companies. While at Amoco, as the Exploration and Production Asset Manager for B.C. and NWT, he led a team that created an industry-first business development partnership with several Treaty 8 Nations, building relationships with communities across Alberta, B.C, NWT and Alaska. He has worked on projects in Northern Canada and Alaska as well as several countries in South America and Asia.

In 2015 through 2017, he was the Economic Development Manager for the Woodland Cree First Nation in the Peace River region of Alberta. His primary focus was drafting and negotiating agreements with project proponents working within the Traditional Land Use Area of the Woodland Cree. Responsibilities included drafting impact benefit agreements and consultation protocols, creating joint venture companies and partnerships to generate economic opportunity for the Nation and fostering relationship building with Chief and Council.