He attended Steubenville Catholic Central High School and subsequently West Virginia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

[2] After graduation from college, Gentile returned home to Jefferson County and joined the Ted Strickland for Congress campaign as field director.

In 2010, with incumbent Representative John Domenick unable to run again due to term limits, Gentile ran to replace him in the Ohio House.

Gentile ran for re-election to the Ohio Senate in 2016, but was defeated in the general election by Republican Frank Hoagland by a margin of 53%-47%.

Gentile also secured $200,000 in funding for scholarships[14] for students at Eastern Gateway Community College who are pursuing a career in the oil and gas industry.

During the 130th General Assembly, Gentile sponsored Senate Bill 13 to provide college credits for certain trainings received by veterans while they served.

[16] Gentile also introduced Senate Bill, which would provide income tax credits to small businesses that hire unemployed veterans.

[18][19] Gentile has routinely tried to end the income cap on the homestead exemption, which is a program that gives a property tax break to senior and disabled homeowners.

[23] In 2016, due to Gentile's efforts, Ohio approved funding for a new mine safety training center in Harrison County.