DAYTON -- The picture of health is Montgomery County's new healthcommissioner.
James W. Gross, a Dayton native and avid runner with about all thebody fat of the Olsen twins combined, will assume the role onSaturday after being tapped this week by the health board for PublicHealth -- Dayton & Montgomery County.
'It is a pleasure and an honor to serve my hometown in thiscapacity,' Gross, 51, said Thursday.
A 29-year veteran of the public health arena, Gross is the healthdepartment's assistant health commissioner. He served a brief stintas interim commissioner prior to Allene Mares taking the top job lastyear. Mares leaves today for a similar role in her hometown of GreatFalls, Mont.
Gross said the biggest challenge of his job will be working withresidents, the medical community and other groups to create 'healthycommunities within Montgomery County.'
Health board President Dr. David Page said, 'We are excited tohave someone within our organization who grew up in our area, knowsour public health challenges and has worked closely with Allene.'
Gross, a former youth basketball and track coach and the father oftwo grown children, is a 1973 graduate of Belmont High School. Heearned his bachelor's degree from Wright State University in 1977 andhis master's in public health there in 2005.
The Centerville resident's salary hasn't been determined yet. Aspokesman for the health department said Mares earned about $141,000a year in the job.
