Cress completed a B.S. in business administration at Tri-State in 2002, and a juris doctor degree at Valparaiso University School of Law. He works as an attorney for Simmons-Brown & Cress PC in Angola. He played on the TSU Thunder men’s basketball team from 1999-2002, and has continued his support of TSU basketball as an alumnus. He and his wife, Christina, have three children, Macie, Madelyn, and Hunter.

The university presents the Distinguished Service Young Alumnus Award each year to alumni age 40 or younger who are elected by a vote of the TSU Alumni Board of Governors. The vote indicates these alumni have performed outstanding service in their professions, achievements, and communities, and have demonstrated support of TSU through contributions of time, talent, and funding; through recruitment of students; and through the placement of graduates.