Gregory is a native of Winston-Salem, NC and is passionate about family and supporting educational opportunities for others. Gregory earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) and studied Public Administration at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. After serving many years as the Director of Alumni Relations at WSSU, Gregory sought additional training and received a Certificate in Fundraising Management from Indiana University -Purdue University Indianapolis. Gregory has spent 20 years in Fundraising, programmatic fund raising, individual solicitation, major gift solicitation, and solicitation for naming opportunities. 

Gregory has dedicated his life to service in the community and finds time to serve as Chair of the Winston-Salem Zoning Board of Adjustment, member of the State Employees Credit Union Advisory Board, Forsyth Education Partnership, and formally chaired the Leadership Gift Committee for the Beyond the Sanctuary Campaign at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, where he also serves as a Sunday School teacher. In Gregory's spare time he enjoys reading history books, traveling, golfing, cooking, and spending quality time with his family. In December 2016, Gregory retired from WSSU after 32 years of service to the State of North Carolina. Gregory is married to his college sweetheart Beth Day-Hairston of 34 years and they are the proud parents of two sons, Gregory "Carl" Hairston, Jr. and Morgan Day Hairston.