Shade Gilbert joined the Fordyce Jaycees in March of 1995 and co-chaired the Fordyce Jaycee Coed Softball Tournament that month. In May of 1996, Shade was elected President of the Fordyce Jaycees for the 1996-97 Jaycee year. The Fordyce finished Number 1 for the Third quarter and 4th overall that year and Shade was awarded the Charles Kulp, Jr. Memorial Award recognizing the top local presidents in the nation. During 1997 Shade moved to Conway and was elected Region Two Director and was assigned the Chapters of Conway, Benton-Saline County and North Hills. Shade got away from the Jaycees from 1998 until 2005 after a move to southwest Arkansas.

In September of 2005 Shade re-joined the Conway Jaycees and was elected state Vice-President for 2006. At the 2006 Arkansas Junior Chamber Annual Meeting Shade was awarded Jaycee of the Year and was elected the 70th President of the Arkansas Jaycees for 2007.

At the US Junior Chamber 2006 Year-End Celebration Gilbert was recognized with the Steve Little Memorial Award for his work in returning Arkansas to full state status with 97% membership growth.

He works for the State of Arkansas.