Gary Siplin was born on October 21, 1954 in Orlando, Florida where he lived with his loving mother, Aretha Mae Dawson and his three siblings.

Gary Siplin graduated from Jones High School, Orlando, Florida in 1972 and then received his B.A. degree in Political Science from Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, North Carolina in 1976, M.A. in Public & International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1977, Juris Doctorate from Duquesne (Du-Kane) University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1981 and Honorary Doctorate from City College, Orlando, Florida in 2003. 

Gary Siplin, work as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Edward B. Davis, US District Court, Southern District of Florida, Miami, Florida in 1981, Assistant County Attorney, Miami, Florida in 1982, Attorney for a private firm, Miami, Florida in 1989, Managing Partner, Miami and Orlando, Florida since 1992. He has a long resume of accomplishments, experiences, honors, and awards.

Gary Siplin was elected to the Florida House of Representative, District 39 Orlando, Florida in 2000 – 2002, Florida State Senate, District 19, and Orlando, Florida making him the First Black State Senator elected from Central Florida in 2002 – 2012. Gary Siplin is the founder of the Professional Opportunities Program for Students, Inc. (POPS, Inc.), a statewide job program for students.