David Hess is a native of Southern Illinois and is a graduate of Southern Illinois University earning a Master of Science degree in Education with emphasis on Vocational Education, a Bachelor of Science degree focusing on small business management, and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Mortuary Science and Funeral Service.
He has been active in funeral service since 1986 as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Utah, Illinois, and Missouri. David has been active in all facets of funeral service and community service, serving in various clubs and organizations completing over 500 hours of continuing education and professional development. He is recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International and has served as Deputy Coroner in Alexander County, Illinois.
In 2011 David became the director of the Mortuary Science program at Salt Lake Community College where was responsible for developing the curriculum and courses for the new program. He oversaw the maintenance and assessment of the program and guided the program through the accreditation process with the American Board of Funeral Service Education. As an Associate Professor David taught most of the core courses of the program focusing on the sciences. He also served as the Chair of the Senate Curriculum Committee and the Curriculum Analysis & Implementation Council. In 2022 he became the Associate Dean of the Division of Health Professions overseeing the Mortuary Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, and Radiologic Technology programs.
Nationally David has served as Vice-chair of the Committee on Accreditation, Chair of the National Board Exam Liaison Committee, and participated in several curriculum reviews with the American Board of Funeral Service Education. He has assisted the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards with writing and analyzing questions for the NBE and is also a past president of the University Mortuary Science Education Association.
David now resides in Jeffersonville, IN with his wife. He is an avid sports fan rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, and Los Angeles Rams. David loves teaching, studying history, watching old classic movies, and discussing leadership principles.