Davis man to aid Iraq labor team

The White House recently appointed a Davis County man to help solve Iraq's growing labor problems.

Robert Gross confirmed to the Deseret Morning News that he will serve as senior adviser to the Iraqi labor and social services minister. The 53-year-old Centerville resident will report to Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, the top U.S. civilian official in Iraq.

Gross will aid Bremer in an effort to reduce Iraq's growing unemployment rate — as much as 50 percent of the Iraqi work force remains unemployed.

"The numbers are pretty staggering," Gross said. "I'm honored and humbled at the same time the administration has confidence in me. I think it's a wonderful opportunity to try to make a difference. I support the president's mission and the country's mission, frankly."

As the first executive director of Utah's Department of Workforce Services, Gross in 1996 spearheaded the task of consolidating five state agencies to help people get and keep jobs. Gross also served a four-month stint as former Gov. Mike Leavitt's chief of staff in 1997.

"Bob is the best administrator and leader that I have ever worked with in my 32 years of working for the state of Utah," said Jim Finch, former deputy director at the Department of Workforce Services. "I have reason to believe that he'll have great success with the people in Iraq because he is one of the best leaders you can find in terms of creating an organization and populating that organization with the right people to make sure it succeeds."

Gross said he learned about his appointment during the Thanksgiving holiday, but nothing is finalized until background checks are completed. Pentagon officials told Gross they expect to hammer out the details in the next few days, Gross said.

Once cleared, Gross will be in Baghdad until July 1, when the United States is to transfer sovereignty to the Iraqis.

"The war's disrupted a lot of things," Gross said. "Basically, all their police force and all their infrastructure has stopped."

In Baghdad, Gross will live in the Green Zone, a four-to-five-square-mile area surrounding the presidential palace that houses headquarters of the U.S.-led coalition governing Iraq. Security concerns limit travel outside the Green Zone, which could hinder Gross' work, he said.