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Utah Wing's Hess Named Next Rocky Mountain Region Commander
Col. Jason R. Hess received a surprise on his 47th birthday — a call from Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka, Civil Air Patrol national commander/CEO, informing him he was his choice to command CAP’s Rocky Mountain Region.
Phelka appointed Hess region commander Sept. 23 after a thorough selection process.
Hess, the Utah Wing commander since March 2021, will succeed Col. Jeffrey L. Johnson, Rocky Mountain Region commander for the past three years. He will be sworn in Oct. 8 at the Utah Wing Headquarters.
“Col. Hess has an effective leadership style that has produced excellent results and will be an amazing fit for the Rocky Mountain Region,” Phelka said. “His experience in multiple mission areas and the spirit of collaboration he brings make him a valuable asset to the CSAG team as well.”
CSAG stands for the Civil Air Patrol Senior Advisory Group, which advises the national commander and recommends policy and proposes constitution and bylaws changes to CAP’s Board of Governors. It consists of the national commander, national vice commander, national executive officer, and the organization’s eight region commanders, as well as two nonvoting members, the chief operating officer and the CAP-U.S. Air Force commander.
Hess, who resides in West Jordan, Utah, has served in Civil Air Patrol for 19 years — five as an Ohio Wing cadet and 14 as a senior member in the Utah Wing. He has a history of effective command and staff experience at the wing level, starting as director of information technology (2008-2017), director of operations (2010-2017), government relations adviser (2017-2021), vice commander (2017-2021), and commander (2021-2022).
“I am humbled, honored, and inspired by this opportunity to lead the exceptional volunteers of the Rocky Mountain Region,” Hess said. “I
look forward to serving our cadets and senior members as we build on the region’s proud heritage together and explore opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and excel.”
The Rocky Mountain Region includes more than 4,000 members and consists of the Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming wings.
As Utah Wing commander for the past 18 months and wing vice commander the four years before that, Hess has put his professional budget and acquisition experience to use managing state appropriations, U.S. Air Force-assigned missions, and wing budgets. He has served on the wing finance committee the past six years.
Previously, as the wing’s director of operations, he led all communications, emergency services, and operations, and he established strong relationships with the state director of aeronautics and state emergency management staff.
“Participating in Civil Air Patrol both as a cadet and as a senior volunteer has been one of the largest contributors to my successes in life. Ingrained into my everyday living, the cadet program and core values laid a foundation of service that continues to resonate deeply with me,” Hess said.
“I feel that serving as the region commander, I can further a transference of knowledge and spirit of volunteerism in cadets and senior members alike,” he added. “I am passionate about Civil Air Patrol and the power each volunteer has in them to make the whole of CAP a premier service organization.”
A CAP-rated and Federal Aviation Administration commercial pilot, Hess has participated in numerous aerospace education and civic
activities. He is a West Jordan City Airport Advisory Board member as well as an experimental aircraft builder, a small Unmanned Aerial 
Systems (sUAS) pilot, and a Level 2 High Power Certified Member with the National Association of Rocketry.
An Eagle Scout and varsity coach/scoutmaster, Hess is also a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and the Experimental Aircraft Association.
He holds CAP Master ratings in operations and information technology, a Senior rating in command, and Technician ratings in cadet programs and inspector general.
He has been recognized with numerous awards and commendations during his CAP career, receiving the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award; the National Commanders Unit Citation Award, a Commander’s Commendation with one silver star, 
one bronze star, and four bronze clasps; a Distinguished Service Award; an Exceptional Service Award with two bronze clasps; and a Meritorious Service Award. 
He also received a Find Ribbon with two bronze clasps and Aircrew device; an Air Search and Rescue Ribbon with two bronze clasps and Aircrew device; a Command Service Ribbon with silver star; Homeland Security Ribbon with two silver clasps; and a Community Service Ribbon with one silver clasp.
Outside CAP, Hess has 25 years of experience in the finance and credit industry, developing solutions and managing financial software and database systems. For 17 of those years, he has served as a supervisor at various levels, acquiring executive management experience as assistant vice president and vice president at Merrick Bank and CardWorks Inc.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business information systems from the University of Utah in 2007.
Hess and his wife, Margaret, also a CAP member, have been married nearly 24 years, and they have three children.