LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Joseph Gross upon the occasion of his
designation for special honor by the Herkimer County Industrial Develop-
ment Agency on May 27, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those individuals and businesses which have substantial-
ly contributed to the economic vitality of their communities and the
entire Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Joseph Gross upon the occasion of his designation for special honor by
the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency on May 27, 2009; and
WHEREAS, The salutatorian of the 1977 graduating class at West Canada
Valley Central School, Joseph Gross graduated Summa Cum Laude from the
SUNY College of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering and
received a Master's degree in Business Administration from the Lally
School of Management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Gross began his professional career at Oneida Silvers-
miths as a mechanical engineer and became section manager of the hollow-
ware division within four years; and
WHEREAS, In 1988, Joseph Gross joined the Conmed Corporation as engi-
neering manager; over the next 12 years, he helped grow the company
significantly and became senior vice president of global operations and
president of Linvatec, its largest division; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with the Conmed Corporation, Joseph Gross
was responsible for the creation of 1,500 jobs in operations, moving
several overseas operations back to the United States and developing
facilities in upstate New York that were globally competitive; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Joseph Gross returned to the Mohawk Valley to become
the plant manager of the Ilion facility of the Remington Arms Company
after working in the automotive and consumer products industry for five
years; and
WHEREAS, When the Remington Arms Company was purchased in 2007, Joseph
Gross told the new owner that with certain strategic investments the
Ilion plant could become a world class facility and outperform any other
firearms factory in the world; he was proven right and the plant is
growing for the first time in decades; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Joseph Gross and to wish him contin-
ued success in all of his future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Joseph Gross upon the occasion of his designation for special
honor by the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency on May 27,
2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Joseph Gross.