Massachusetts Consumer Attorney To Become CPSC Executive Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 24) -- The appointment of Richard A. Gross as the new Executive Director of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission was announced today by CPSC Chairman Susan King. Beginning in early November, Gross will be responsible for managing the activities of nearly 900 staffers in the agency's Washington metropolitan offices and 13 regional offices.

Gross, 30, has been the chief of the Consumer Protection Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office since June 1, 1978. In that capacity he directed state legal policy for prosecutions under the Massachusetts Unfair Trade Practices Act, and worked actively in drafting and implementing state regulations. As the supervisor of approximately 15 attorneys and 65 other staffers, Gross was responsible for an ongoing caseload of more than 400 legal actions.

For three years prior to becoming chief of the Consumer Protection Division, Gross served as the division's deputy chief. From January 1, 1973, until March 1, 1975, he was the managing attorney of Greater Boston Legal Services, Inc. (South End office), where he supervised major class-action litigation for consumers.

In addition, Gross helped develop the clinical legal education program at the Harvard University Law School since 1975. He has taught in that program and lectured widely in the Boston area on legal issues.

Gross graduated cum laude from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, in 1970 (majoring in philosophy and economics), and received his law degree from Harvard in 1973. The author of several legal articles, Gross has been listed in "Who's Who in American Law" since 1977.

Active in numerous legal actions filed on behalf of consumers, Gross directed the legal strategy for plaintiffs who were awarded $44 million from the General Motors Corp. following the installation of Chevrolet engines in higher-priced GM automobiles. Gross currently resides in Boston with his wife, Roberta, who also is an attorney.

Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti of Massachusetts praised Gross for his performance as chief of the Consumer Protection Division and expressed reluctance to see him depart. "Rick has been a genuine asset to this department and to the consumers of Massachusetts," Bellotti said. "He will be extremely difficult to replace."