Ada, Okla. – Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby has appointed Joshua Bess Secretary of the Chickasaw Nation Department of Family Services.
“Josh Bess’ dedication to Chickasaw families demonstrates commitment to the core and future of the Chickasaw Nation,” Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said. “His advocacy for mental health and culturally sensitive services that help our people and strengthen Chickasaw families, as well as our communities, helps reinforce a solid foundation on which our tribe can build. His experience and commitment to our mission is an asset to the Chickasaw Nation and Chickasaw people.”
Bess’ leadership responsibilities include guiding the department as it offers high quality mental health and human services, and helps strengthen families. His goals are to continue to advocate for and support Chickasaw families, as well as continue to facilitate a culture of support and appreciation for employees, ensure high level customer service to the individuals and families the department serves, and continue the department’s focus on mental health education, training and services.
“I love serving families,” Bess said. “It is of the highest honor to help families thrive, and the department of family services contains a multitude of programs and services to accomplish that. I always knew that wherever the Lord lit my path, it would be in service to others. It can be said that our own life experiences and encounters can lead us to our profession, and that cannot be truer for me. I believe families are the foundation to our future. When our families are strong, everyone wins.”
Bess has worked for the tribe for 19 years, many of those years under the mentorship of former Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Family Services Jay Keel, who recently retired after many years of distinguished service to Chickasaw families.
“It has been my privilege to serve under the leadership of Jay Keel,” Bess said. “His legacy will forever be cemented in the foundation of family services. His love for and dedication to the Chickasaw Nation and the Chickasaw people have positively impacted countless lives. He will be missed, but I know his positive impact on the world will continue into the next season the Lord has planned for him.”
Bess is thankful for the growth the tribe has helped him achieve.
“The Chickasaw Nation has been vital to my growth and development personally and professionally,” he said.
Originally from Roff, Bess began his career with the Chickasaw Nation as a summer youth worker, before joining the Chickasaw Nation School to Work Program. He worked in various roles within the Chickasaw Nation Youth and Family Services Division before being named director of Chickasaw Nation Child Support Services in 2015.
In 2016, Bess was appointed to the position of Executive Officer of Family Support Division within the Department of Family Services. In this position, he was responsible for overseeing Child Welfare Services, Child Support Services and Family Preservation Services.
He was appointed Under Secretary of Support and Sustainability in 2022, where his duties included providing residential care, prevention and intervention, and supportive programs and services to strengthen Chickasaw families.
During his time with the tribe, he helped work to establish the Hin-oshi' Chokma' (Good Paths) program targeted to enhance life skills, education and goal setting for Chickasaw teens and young adults.
“I feel deeply humbled to be appointed by Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and grateful in the trust placed in me,” Bess said.
Bess, a Chickasaw citizen, received his bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in human resources administration from East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma.
He currently serves on multiple boards and committees, including the Chickasaw Foundation board of trustees, Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes and Pontotoc County Drug Free Coalition. He is also a member of the Chickasaw Historical Society. He has served various other associations, boards and committees throughout the years, primarily representing the well-being of families.
He and his wife, Kassie Bess, have been married for 20 years. They have three daughters, Brianna, Jayli and Ellie, and currently reside in Ada, Oklahoma.
“Guided by my love for Jesus, I value faith, family and time spent supporting my girls,” Bess said. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors.