David Morris

David Morris is originally from Topeka, Kansas. Following graduation from Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration, he served as an assistant to Kansas Governor Mike Hayden before completing both an MBA and law degree from Southern Methodist University.    

Morris established a company to spin off the ZuPreem line of prepared diets for zoo animals from Hill’s Pet Nutrition following the completion of his graduate degrees. During his tenure owning the ZuPreem brand, the product line grew from a handful of diets for zoo animals to eventually also becoming the leading brand of nutritionally complete diets for birds in the U.S. pet specialty channel, with sales in over 30 countries around the world. In April 2021, he sold ZuPreem to a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, one of the largest private equity firms in the world.

Currently he serves as a trustee of the Morris Animal Foundation, the largest chartable funder of animal health studies in the world. He is also vice president of the Mark and Bette Morris Family Foundation and McMorin Inc. Morris serves on the board of directors of the American Royal Association and the Robert J. Dole Center for Politics Advisory Board. He also is a member of Innovation in Motion, an early-stage venture capital group. 

Morris previously has served as a member of Mid America Angels, as well as chairman of the Board of Epic Entertainment. He also served as a director of Wayside Waifs, the Starlight Theater Association, Friends of the Topeka Zoo, American Pet Products Association, and the Worldwide Pet Supply Association.