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UPPER LAKE, Calif. – On Friday, Upper Lake celebrated its newest postmaster, a community member who has quickly worked her way up through the ranks to earn the job.
Angie Gross took her oath from Post Office Operations Manager Maria Lane, the woman who hired her, at the Friday afternoon ceremony at the Upper Lake Grange Hall.
Gross is the latest in a long line of postmasters stretching back to Upper Lake’s first, James G. Musick, who was appointed in 1858. She succeeds former Upper Lake Postmaster Kristi Rico.
A wife and mother of three who lives in Witter Springs, Gross began her U.S. Postal Service career in 2012 as a clerk in the Upper Lake Post Office.
She quickly moved into a management position as officer in charge in Upper Lake in 2014. Gross was officially promoted to postmaster in Upper Lake in January.
In her new job, she manages five employees who serve a community of 1,052 residents. She oversees more than 1,200 rural daily mail deliveries and 658 Post Office box deliveries.
Work in the Postal Service is a family affair; Gross’ mother-in-law, Patricia Gross, took her oath as Nice’s postmaster in April 2017, as Lake County News has reported.
About 50 people – including around half a dozen current and former postmasters from around the region – attended Gross’ swearing-in ceremony.
“It’s always held a dear place in my heart,” Hill said of Upper Lake’s post office and community.
She greeted community members with hugs and handshakes before and after the event.
Even in the digital age, the Post Office and its postmaster remain important to rural communities like Upper Lake, Hill said.
“It’s still definitely relevant,” she said.
Hill told Lake County News that it’s important to have the right people in the postmaster job and for them to have the community’s support.
She said the best part of her job is getting to hire good people, and finding the right fit for the community.
Before administering the oath to Gross, Hill lauded her for understanding the job. “This woman gets it.”
While the technical aspect of the work is important, Hill suggested customer service is even more critical, and commented on Gross’ sweet nature and customer-oriented approach.
When Gross took her oath, husband Kevin and their three children – Dominic, 13, Ethan, 6, and Wyatt, 2 – looked on from the front row.
While his mom was still taking her oath, Wyatt climbed up onto the stage and made his way to her, and then made a beeline for the grange’s piano. His older brother Ethan stopped him before the event turned musical.
Gross said she was very thankful for everyone who attended.
“It means a lot that I’m able to be postmaster of my community,” Gross said.
She added, “I’m very excited and happy.”
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