Pierce County's new head of homeless and health programs has federal experience
Gary Gant, has been selected to serve as the new leader of Human Services, following what the county described as a 'competitive and meritorious recruitment process.'
His first day in the new position was June 2.
According to Human Services spokesperson Kari Moore, Gant will be paid $213,640 per year.
In his most recent position as field office director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Gant helped increase access to behavioral health services and improve housing stability, according to the county.
He previously served as deputy regional administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). According to the county, he co-managed a six-state region overseeing program delivery and organizing mass vaccination events during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his new role at the county, Gant will oversee Human Services many divisions, including Behavioral Health, Community Services and Aging and Disability Resources. He also will be responsible for overseeing more than 400 contracts with community-based agencies and local providers delivering services to some of the most vulnerable residents in the community, including individuals with disabilities, children, veterans and people experiencing homelessness.
From 2020 to 2023, the department had an average annual budget of over $134 million. As of October 2024, the department had just under 300 employees.
According to Human Services, Gant earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of the Incarnate Word, a master's degree in business administration from Western Governors University, and a master's degree in public health from the University of Washington.
He has served on several boards and committees including the Puget Sound Regional Council, National Library of Medicine State Advisory Group, and the Somali Family Safety Task Force. Gant also has significant experience collaborating with the Veterans Health Administration and the HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program to connect veterans experiencing homelessness with stable housing and support services.
Helen McGovern had been serving as Acting Director for the department since the beginning of the year. Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello ousted the previous Human Services director, Heather Moss, as one of the first actions of his office.
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