Topeka ? The Sunflower State Games has named Mitch Gross its new executive director.

Gross previously held the title of Recreation Programmer for Shawnee County Parks and Recreation.

He was born and raised in Hays, Kan. and graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management.

During college, Gross worked as an activities supervisor at the Hays Recreation Commission and then moved to the recreation programmer for Shawnee County Parks and Recreation after graduation. He was a Recreation Branch Chair in 2005 and is currently a member of Kansas Recreation and Park Assn.

“I am very excited for Mitch. He has great energy and will take The Games to a new level,” said current executive director Sherry Lundry.

Lundry and Gross will co-direct the 2006 Games.