Dave Kass

Chairman Emeritus and Co-Founder, Southern Recognition, Inc.

Southern Recognition began at a family table and grew through consistent work and care. Dave built the foundation and the standard. Do it the right way. Serve people well. Finish strong.

Foundation

Preparation

Craftsmanship

Integrity

Service

SAVE CONTACT

The Kass family is the foundation and heart of Southern Recognition. 

Our Family. Our Story.

Dave spent years working for some of the largest names in the recognition industry, including Herff Jones, Balfour, and Jostens. He saw what they did well but also lived through the instability of ownership changes, missed deliveries, and the gradual loss of craftsmanship that once defined the field. A former collegiate and professional quarterback, Dave carried the same discipline, teamwork, and focus that defined his athletic career into the recognition industry. During that time, he contributed to some of the industry’s most notable championship rings, including designs for professional baseball, basketball, and football. Rob and Brian grew up around that world, witnessing both the pride of excellence and the pitfalls of compromise. As a family, we made a promise: if we were going to build this business, we would do it the right way . with honesty, precision, and craftsmanship that lasts.

 

Dave and his wife Julie have been married for forty years, celebrating their anniversary on September 1, 2025. Together, they have raised three children,  Rob, Brian, and Pamela and now enjoy a new chapter as Kool Papa and Granny. Their family continues to grow, with three grandchildren from Rob, two from Brian, and one on the way from Pamela. Family is the center of everything Dave does. The same pride, faith, and loyalty that define their home also define Southern Recognition.

SR EXECUTIVE OFFICE

The SR Executive Office engages directly with institutional leadership guiding program vision and final approvals.

Send a short note with your program name and the best time to connect. Our office will coordinate an SR Studio session.
 

Contact SR Executive Office

Call SR Office

ABOUT

ROOTS AND RESPONSIBILITY

 

     Dave Kass set the tone for Southern Recognition by insisting on preparation, honesty, and work that stand the test of time. His decades of experience with major manufacturers gave him a rare perspective. He saw what makes recognition programs succeed, and he saw what causes them to lose meaning.

Long before leading in business, Dave excelled in competition. A record-setting, two-sport All-American in football and baseball, he played quarterback at Wake Forest and the University of New Hampshire, and later advanced to the professional level. The discipline, focus, and leadership that defined his athletic career still guide how he approaches people, performance, and purpose.
 

     He believes recognition should never feel generic. Every piece should be built with care, tested for precision, and delivered with pride. As Chairman Emeritus, he continues to guide leadership, keeping the company close to the craft and unwavering in the standards that bear his name.

Dave Kass is more than the foundation of Southern Recognition. He is its heart. A heart transplant recipient, his life today stands as a living testimony to grace, gratitude, and purpose. His role as Kool Papa to his family is the one that matters most. Dave was given a second chance, and he refuses to waste it on anything that is not worthy. He brings that same conviction to every decision and every product that carries the Southern Recognition name.