Grossmont Healthcare District announces James Sly as CEO

By Karen Pearlman

Nov. 4, 2025 (East County) – The Grossmont Healthcare District has a new Chief Executive Officer. 

Santee resident James Sly was unanimously approved by the five-member GHD board to be the Grossmont Healthcare District CEO and lead the organization on Tuesday afternoon.

Sly, who has been the CEO of the East County Economic Development Council since December 2020, will start as the GHD CEO on Dec. 15. His salary will be $270,000 a year with a yearly $5,000 stipend.

Aaron Byzak, who has been the interim CEO for the Grossmont Healthcare District since March 2025 following the GHD board's decision to not renew the contract of Christian Wallis, will stay as interim director until Dec. 19, and he will continue to be the communication strategy consultant for the GHD.

A press release from the District said that Sly "was selected following an exhaustive, multi-month recruitment process that drew nearly 500 applicants from across the country."

The search was conducted by Blair Search Partners in coordination with an ad hoc committee of the GHD Board, which included two board members, the former CEO and Byzak. The process involved multiple rounds of interviews with dozens of highly qualified candidates before the Board approved Sly’s appointment.

“James brings the perfect blend of strategic vision, community insight, and leadership experience to guide the District into its next chapter,” said GHD Board President Bob Ayres. “He has been an indispensable partner to GHD for years, helping us expand healthcare access and workforce opportunities. We are excited to welcome him as our new CEO.”

Sly was previously the East County EDC's Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He first joined the ECEDC in 2012 and his initial work focused on assisting manufacturers with Department of Defense procurement. He also helped launch the East County Small Business Development Center.

Sly’s career also includes positions with GKN Aerospace, Public Consulting Group, and Maximus, Inc., where he managed large-scale workforce and public-service programs.

He currently serves on more than a dozen local and regional boards, including the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (Vice Chair and Finance Chair), SANDAG, the World Trade Center San Diego (Board Chair), and both the East County and Santee Chambers of Commerce.

He previously worked as a management consultant and a workforce expert for programs including the One-Stop Career Center Network and San Diego's CalWORKS Welfare-to-Work and Refugee Resettlement programs.

A West Hills High alum, Sly holds an MBA from Western Governors University, a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and Administration from San Diego State University and a Not-for-Profit Management certificate from Harvard Business School. 

“James is an outstanding choice to lead the District,” Byzak said. “His integrity, collaborative style, and deep commitment to East County will serve GHD and the community well for years to come.”

The GHD is a public agency that supports the health and wellness of San Diego's East County. Formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital, it leased the hospital's operations to Sharp HealthCare in 1991. The District continues to operate as the landlord for the hospital property.

It supports the community through its Health & Wellness Library, grants to local nonprofits, scholarships for healthcare careers and wellness programs. The GHD focuses  on aging, behavioral health and chronic diseases.