He is a 1976 graduate of St. Charles High School and a 1981 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. In 1982, he received his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Senator Gross worked in the Personnel Management field with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service in Japan and Guam for eight years and was Personnel Manager with Ever- Green Laws for three years. He currently is a licensed real estate appraiser and owns a small appraisal firm in St. Charles.

He was elected to the Missouri Senate in November, 2000.

Senator Gross was first elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in November, 1992. He was reelected in 1994, 1996 and 1998, and served on the Budget, Appropriations- General Administration and Transportation; Municipal Corporations; Tourism, Recreation and Cultural Affairs; and Utilities Regulation Committees.

Senator Gross's community involvement includes being a board member of D.A.R.E., St. Charles, Youth-in-Need; Bridgeway Counseling; Volunteers in Medicine Clinic; St. Charles Regional Child Assessment Center; and the University of Missouri Graduate School of Public Affairs Professional Advisory Board. In addition, he serves on Lindenwood University's Board of Overseers, sits on the Steering Committee of Health Communities 2000 and is a member of the St. Charles Kiwanis.

He is listed in who's Who in America from 1996 to the present and is the recipient of the "Heroes" Award from the Crider Center for Mental Health as well as Missouri Christian Coalition Award for his work in the legislature.