President Gaertner earned his bachelor of business administration (1965) and master of business administration (1970) degrees from Sam Houston State and his doctorate (1977) from Texas A & M University.

President Gaertner previously served in various capacities at the University of Texas at San Antonio including dean of the College of Business and interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. His career includes seven years at the University of Notre Dame where, among other positions, he served as director of their London master of business administration program.