Gary J. Gross '81

Gary J. Gross '81

Elected: 2017, 2021
Current Term Ends: 2024
Committees: Marketing & Enrollment Strategy (co-chair), Governance & Compensation/Assessment

Gary Gross sat at the helm of Universal Publishing Production Music, a global leader in production music, for more than 20 years. He oversaw all aspects of the company's production music entities and managed more than 32 offices around the world. When he retired in early 2017, he found himself with a priceless luxury: time. And he knew just how he wanted to spend it.

"My years at IC were transformational, and I'm really thankful for how Ithaca prepared me for the real world," Gary says. "I wanted to give back, and I was at a point in my life when I could do that."

But Gary's trusteeship isn't simply about scheduling. Gary is excited to bring his business acumen to the board, which draws not only on his experience at Universal, but his time as president of BMG Production Music Worldwide and his 15 years in marketing with companies such as Procter & Gamble, Kraft, and the McKesson Corporation.

"My career expertise is wide ranging," he says. "I've held a variety of positions at small startups and large multinationals. Higher education is something I've always been passionate about, and I offer a fresh perspective."

Prior to his tenure on the board, Gary stayed involved with IC as a member of the President's Roundtable, a part of the Blue & Gold Society, and as a member of the Los Angeles-area campaign committee.

Gary lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his husband, Keith Vanderlaan, and their golden retriever, Turbo.