A business leader and veteran broadcaster, Gene Pemberton is the first full-time chaplain in Major League Baseball. Gene first joined the Astros organization in January 1994. He served as director of community development until becoming the team chaplain in 1997.

Prior to joining the Astros, Gene served for 31 years at American Desk Manufacturing Company, advancing to vice president of marketing and director of special projects, selling stadium seating for more than 60 sports venues, including the 70,000-seat Georgia Dome and the 62,000-seat Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. A basketball and football official for 23 years, he was honored as a lifetime member of the Southwest Officials Association. Gene has been the color commentator for Temple Wildcat football games on KTEM radio since retiring from officiating in 1986. He and play-by-play announcer Mark McLain have been honored by the Associated Press for best sports play-by-play in their class several times since 1992. The duo also claimed the Dallas Press Club's prestigious Katie Award in 1993 for best broadcast team in Texas outside the four major markets. Additionally, Gene currently hosts "SportsTalk of the Town" on KTEM, Monday through Friday at 6 p.m. Gene is a past president of the Temple Kiwanis Club and Legion of Honor member, and was a deacon for 19 years for Bethel Assembly of God Church. He has also been involved in numerous other civic activities, committees and boards.

A native of Cameron, Texas, he grew up in Temple and graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 1962. He and his wife, Mary, have two sons: Gary and Allen, and a daughter, Lisa. The couple also has three grandsons, Brandon, Andrew and Jeffrey, and two granddaughters, Elisabeth and Emalye. The family resides in Temple, Texas.