Pierce County’s latest human services director lasts less than a year
After The News Tribune received an anonymous call that Pierce County had fired its Human Services director less than a year after he started, county officials confirmed Wednesday that Gary Gant is no longer an employee with Pierce County.
“The county made the decision to end his at-will employment,” Jordan Chames, a spokesperson for Pierce County Human Services, told The News Tribune on Thursday.
Officials told The News Tribune in an email that the county “has a general practice of not addressing the details of personnel matters in broad communications” and would not say why exactly Gant is no longer with the county. Gant managed and administered the county’s homelessness services and affordable housing programs. He could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.
Gant started June 2, 2025, replacing former director Heather Moss, who was let go by Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello on Jan. 3, 2025, as previously reported by The News Tribune.
Gant made $217,913.73 annually, said communications manager Kari Moore on Wednesday. He was hired after a “competitive and meritorious recruitment process” and most recently served as a field office director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, according to the county.
“Executive Mello thanks him for his service and wishes him well,” Moore said in a statement. “Careful consideration of current priorities and operational goals made clear that we needed a change in leadership. We are now focused on a smooth transition to ensure our residents’ needs are met. We will begin the recruitment process for a new director this summer.”
In an email Moore forwarded to The News Tribune, executive counsel Julie Murray told staff on Tuesday that she would be the interim Human Services director until Gant’s replacement is chosen.
“The Executive’s Office will be conducting an open, merit-based recruitment to select a permanent Director. At this point, there isn’t a set timeline for that process, but I want you to know that updates will be shared along the way so you’re not left wondering where things stand,” Murray said in the email. “In the meantime, I’m committed to using my time in this role to listen and learn so that the needs, strengths, and perspectives within this department can help inform that process moving forward.”
Murray announced that Anika Moran and Megan Stanley will step into deputy director roles, with Moran leading the Aging and Disability Resources, Community Action Programs and WSU programs. Stanley will continue to lead Behavioral Health, Community Services and Veterans and Developmental Disabilities, per the email.
“The remainder of the organizational structure is still under discussion,” Murray said in the email. “I’ve asked Megan and Anika to work together to help shape a broader vision for the organization, including how my role best supports that structure and all of you.”
The News Tribune has submitted public records requests for any human resource complaints or possible investigations into Gant.
