David Bess, Ph.D.

Shidler College of Business, University of Hawai’i

Dr. Bess earned his BS degree in Nautical Science from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point), and his MBA and Ph.D. in transportation management from the University of California, Los Angeles.  After completing his doctorate, he joined the College of Business Administration at the University of Hawai’i as a faculty member and academic administrator.  He has served in various academic and administrative positions at the University of Hawaii, completing 18 years as Dean, and returning to the faculty as Professor of Management and Transportation as of July 1998.

His academic research and teaching have focused on transportation management and policy, especially in the maritime area, and strategic management and the management of not-for-profit organizations. He has authored two books and numerous articles and chapters in books and recently concluded a funded study on shipping policies and their impact on Hawai’i. He currently teaches courses in organizational behavior, the external environment of business, and human resources management.

After graduation from Kings Point, he returned to Hawai’i and served as a second officer on seagoing tugs and a management trainee for Hawai’i Tug and Barge Company, Ltd. Over the past 40 years at the University of Hawai’i he has held administrative positions in the Office of the Chancellor and the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs as well as the College of Business Administration where he served as Dean from 1981-1998.  He has had visiting appointments at Kings Point and UCLA (1973-74), Oregon State University (1992-93), and the University of Colorado at Denver (Fall 1998).

Dr. Bess has served as a member of both AACSB and WASC accreditation teams to other universities and as a speaker, advisor, and consultant on matters concerning transportation, international education management, and AACSB accreditation.  He has served on committees and task forces appointed by the Governors of the State of Hawaii and American Samoa, and the Mayor and City Council of Honolulu.  Among other awards, he is the recipient of the Dennis Ching Distinguished Teaching Award and the Academy of International Business' International Dean of the Year award.

He is a member of the Academy of International Business, the World Future Society, and Beta Gamma Sigma.  He has served on the Board of Directors of over ten public and private organizations.  He currently serves on the boards of AlohaCare, the Hawai’i Chapter of the American Red Cross (Chair, 1991-92), the Japan-America Institute of Management Science (Vice Chair), and the YMCA of Honolulu.

David Bess is married (Lindy), and they have two married daughters and six granddaughters.