Background
Kress was born into a peasant family with five brothers and a sister.
Kress was born into a peasant family with five brothers and a sister.
Kress graduated from Novosibirsk Agricultural Institute in 1971 as an agricultural economist and worked as an agronomist in Siberia eventually becoming head of the Rodina Sovkhoz near Tomsk.
He is best known for serving five terms as governor of Tomsk Oblast, Russia from 1991 to 2012. During his education he also worked on the farm at the village of Yashkino in Kemerovo Oblast. In 1987, he rose to the position of First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union committee of Pervomayskoye rayon, Tomsk Oblast.
In 1990, Kress was elected and served as speaker of the Tomsk Oblast Soviet.
In 1991, after the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, President Boris Yeltsin appointed him as governor of Tomsk Oblast. On March 17, 2012, Kress resigned as Governor.
On May 17, 2012, Kress" successor, Governor Sergei Zhvachkin, appointed him to the Federation Council as the representative of Tomsk Oblast. He serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Science, Education, Culture and Information Policy.
Order of Merit for the Fatherland; 3rd class (16 November 2008) - for his great personal contribution to the socio-economic development of the field and many years of diligent work 4th class (13 November 1998) - for services to the state and a major contribution to socio-economic development of the region Order of the Badge of Honour Medal "Foreign Labour Valour" Diploma of the President of the Russian Federation (12 December 2008) - for active participation in the drafting of the Constitution and a great contribution to the democratic foundations of the Russian Federation Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, 1st class (Russian Orthodox Church, 2002) Breastplate of the Foreign Ministry of Russia "for contribution to international cooperation" (2008) - for active international activity for the development of international co-operation of Tomsk region with the European Union, Southeast Asia, Israel, United States Honorary Citizen of the Tomsk region (2008) - for outstanding contribution to the objectives of socio-economic development of the Tomsk region, many years of fruitful work Honorary citizen of Tomsk (2004) Badge "Foreign Services to the Tomsk region" (26 February 2004) - for his great personal contribution to the socio-economic development, successful management of the area during the period of political and economic reforms, stability, peace and harmony on earth Badge of Honour "for his services in promoting the Olympic Movement in Russia" (2004, R & Doctorate) Order of Saint Sergius, 1st class (2008, Russian Orthodox Church) Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany - November 23, 2010.
Kress became a member of United Russia in 2004.
