John Cress has enjoyed a successful leadership career in the nonprofit sector, with distinguished roles in higher education, religion, healthcare, broadcasting, social services, and community organizations. He is a gifted communicator and facilitator with a broad range of experiences including community hospital chief development officer, university vice president, campus chaplain, pastor, adjunct professor, and nonprofit founder and trustee. 

John’s listening skills and expertise in helping people clarify their core values and fulfill their most important objectives and aspirations are qualities that enable him to serve individuals, families, and nonprofits well, in collaboration with his Thompson & Associates professional colleagues.

As one who believes that humans are hardwired for story and live their lives in and through their individual and interconnecting narratives, John is a deeply curious student and enthusiastic gatherer and teller of life-transforming stories.

John and his spouse, Pamela Keele Cress, Ph.D., a university administrator and bereavement scholar and practitioner, share a passion for excellence in leadership, relationship building, and community service.  Walla Walla, Washington has been their home for more than three decades.  Pam and John have two daughters—one is a publications editor and the other a hospital chaplain—and three delightfully lively grandchildren.  The Cress family enjoys traveling, reading, storytelling, music, laughing out loud, community engagement, and spending time with family and friends.