Leslie Gross has been North Hempstead's Town Clerk since her appointment in April 2007, following her predecessor's mid-term election to the New York State Assembly when Thomas DiNapoli was appointed New York State Comptroller. Ms. Gross was then elected Town Clerk by the residents of North Hempstead in November of 2007.
As Registrar of Vital Statistics, the Town Clerk issues and maintains all birth, marriage, and death certificates. The Town Clerk also oversees the licensing of dogs, hunting and fishing licenses, and taxi and limousine licenses, as well as maintaining all Town records, including Town Board meetings and public hearings. As a designated Marriage Officer, a responsibility she greatly enjoys, Ms. Gross has officiated at more than 200 wedding ceremonies since she became Town Clerk.
Prior to being Town Clerk, Ms.Gross was Executive Director of North Hempstead's newly-established Business & Tourism Development Corporation which was created to both stimulate commerce and raise the awareness of the Town's community resources.
In her capacity as Executive Director, Ms. Gross worked closely with the Town Supervisor, Town Council, Chambers of Commerce and various other government and community-based organizations. Since its inception, the BTDC has spearheaded projects including Bar Beach Family Fest, North Hempstead Day and created cable television programs including "Around The Town" and "A Taste of The Town" which profile The Town of North Hempstead's businesses, museums, charitable organizations etc.Prior to working for the Town of North Hempstead, Ms. Gross was the president and co-owner of a promotional marketing firm. Earlier, she held account executive positions with Ackerman Advertising in Glen Head, and AFIK Intertrade in New York City. She began her career in special education as a teacher of the hearing impaired after completing her master's degree at Northwestern University and her bachelor's degree at Ohio University.
Ms. Gross has long been active in North Hempstead's civic life, supporting numerous community organizations including: Rotary Club of Great Neck (Past President), Rotary International's District 7250 (Assistant District Governor), North Shore/LIJ Health System (Associate Trustee), Gift of Life (former Board Member), Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (Board Member), The Amsterdam (past member of the community advisory board), The Children's Sports Connection (founding member) and a long-time member of Temple Judea in Manhasset.Town Clerk Gross grew up in Great Neck and has been a resident of Manhasset since 1980. She has been married for over 30 years to Howard Gross who is a management consultant. They are the proud parents of two married sons who live in Manhattan, and grandparents of two.
