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Brad Cheves has been named as the next president and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber [Photo: SMU]<\/p>\n
Brad Cheves, SVP for development and external affairs at Southern Methodist University, has been named as the next president and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber, effective Jan. 5, 2026. He succeeds Dale Petroskey, whose departure was announced in July<\/a> after nearly 12 years leading the DRC, a champion of economic growth\u2014and around 700 businesses\u2014across North Texas.<\/p>\n Cheves\u2019 selection followed a nationwide search that began in July.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a distinct honor to assume the role of president and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber, an organization that contributes so much to the quality of life and economic vibrancy of our region,\u201d Cheves said in a statement. \u201cUnder the tremendous leadership of Dale Petroskey, the executive committee, and the board of directors, the DRC has been recognized as a national model for similar institutions.\u201d<\/p>\n Brad Cheves [center) in a 2020 photo. [Photo: SMU]<\/p>\n Petroskey said Cheves is \u201cstepping into the best job in America, leading the top chamber in the nation at this sweet moment in time for the Dallas Region, and I know he will cherish that responsibility every day, as I have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBrad is a proven leader, highly respected, and well-established throughout our community\u2014and a friend to so many of us,\u201d Petroskey added in a statement. \u201cHe\u2019s the perfect person to lead the DRC\u2019s incredibly talented and hard-working team and our members into a new chapter filled with exciting new possibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n Spearheaded $1.656 billion \u2018SMU Ignited\u2019 campaign<\/p>\n Over the past four years, Cheves spearheaded a campaign called SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow<\/a>, which raised $1.656 billion and surpassed its goal three years early, marking one of the largest such fundraising drives in Texas higher education history. That was just part of his leadership in overseeing the university\u2019s fundraising, marketing, communications, and community engagement efforts since joining SMU in the late 1990s.<\/p>\n Cheves also directed SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign, and notably helped secure the George W. Bush Presidential Center for the SMU campus. Previously, he served as vice president for advancement and public affairs at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles County, where he created the university\u2019s first office of marketing and modernized its advancement operations. Jim Springfield, 2025 DRC board chair and President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, said Cheves\u2019 \u201cexperience and connection with our community will serve stakeholders uniquely well as we build upon an outstanding foundation for the future of the Dallas Regional Chamber.\u201d Incoming 2026 DRC Board Chair Darcy Anderson, vice chairman of Hillwood, said Cheves\u2019 record of achievement and impact at SMU \u201cprovides a strong foundation for advancing the DRC\u2019s legacy of excellence in service and impact, while continuing the remarkable momentum built under Dale\u2019s leadership.\u201d \u201cBrad\u2019s record of achievement and impact at SMU provides a strong foundation for advancing the DRC\u2019s legacy of excellence in service and impact, while continuing the remarkable momentum built under Dale\u2019s leadership,\u201d Anderson said.<\/p>\n Jerry Jones on Cheves: \u2018The right person at the right time\u2019<\/p>\n Cheves\u2019 selection for a highly visible leadership post in one of America\u2019s hottest business regions caught the attention of the owner of America\u2019s team.<\/p>\n Dallas Cowboys GM Jerry Jones called Cheves \u201cthe right person at the right time,\u201d according<\/a> to the Dallas Morning News.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m confident that he\u2019s going to continue with his remarkable record of success that he established at SMU as he writes this next chapter of growth with the DRC,\u201d Jones added in the DMN story.<\/p>\n Active in an array of organizations<\/p>\n Beyond his work at SMU, Cheves plays key roles in a wide array of North Texas civic organizations. He serves on the boards of Broadway Dallas, the Dallas Assembly, the Dallas Council on Foreign Relations, the Texas Lyceum, the Circle Ten Council of Scouting America, and the Honorary Board and Men\u2019s Advocacy Group of New Friends New Life. He\u2019s also an elder at the Preston Road Church of Christ.<\/p>\n Cynt Marshall\u2014former CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, 2024 DRC board chair, and president and CEO of Marshalling Resource\u2014took note of Cheve\u2019s impact on the wider North Texas community.<\/p>\n \u201cBrad\u2019s energy, ability to lead, and intimate knowledge of the region will serve us well as we enter a new era for the DRC,\u201d she said in a statement. \u201cFrom a very talented pool of candidates, Brad was chosen for his incredible track record of getting big things done and positively impacting communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Building on Petroskey\u2019s legacy<\/p>\n Cheves will be building on Petroskey\u2019s 12-year legacy, which had a high point in July 2022 when the DRC was named National Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives for its leadership and impact on the Dallas region\u2019s business community.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cDale Petroskey\u2019s leadership has been instrumental in elevating the DRC to national prominence, including being named National Chamber of the Year,\u201d said Jennifer Chandler, 2027 DRC Board Chair and Dallas President and Head of Philanthropic Solutions at Bank of America. \u201cWith record growth and continued opportunity ahead, we\u2019re confident the DRC is well positioned for its next chapter of leadership and impact across the Dallas region.\u201d Petroskey took the helm at the DRC\u00a0 on April 1, 2014. Under his leadership, the DRC\u2019s budget grew by more than 50%, allowing North Texas\u2019 largest regional chamber to invest millions back into the community through high-impact initiatives\u2014including the\u2019s \u201cTake Care of Business\u201d COVID-19 vaccination campaign in 2021, \u00a0the \u201cSafe in the City\u201d initiative to bolster downtown vibrancy, and regional economic efforts to position Dallas as a hub for emerging industries like life sciences and applied artificial intelligence. Since 2010, the DRC\u2019s economic development work has contributed more than 300 company headquarters to the Dallas region, the DRC noted. During Petroskey\u2019s tenure, the number of Fortune 500 companies in Dallas\u2013Fort Worth grew by 33%, and more than 70 Fortune 1000 companies became DRC members.<\/p>\n \u2018A convening agent\u2019<\/p>\n Cheves said the DRC \u201cis poised to continue as a convening agent for all the elements that contribute to the quality of life for our citizens\u2014vibrant educational institutions, effective economic development initiatives, innovative regional partnerships, unique leadership development opportunities, and a continuing commitment to our community.\u201d \u201cI look forward to contributing to the ongoing growth of the DRC as we enter an exciting new era of opportunity for our region,\u201d the incoming CEO added. Cheves\u2019 appointment followed a national search led by Russell Reynolds Associates, in partnership with a nine-member selection committee of past, current, and future DRC board chairs.<\/p>\n You can read more about Cheves\u2019 appointment in the Dallas Morning News story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss what\u2019s next. Subscribe\u00a0to\u00a0Dallas\u00a0Innovates.<\/p>\n Track Dallas-Fort Worth\u2019s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \tR E A D\u00a0\u00a0 N E X T\t<\/p>\n \t North Texas has plenty to see, hear, and watch.\u00a0Here are our editors’ picks. Plus, you’ll find more selections to “save the date.”<\/p>\n \t D CEO and Dallas Innovates have expanded The Innovation Awards 2026 with more individual and company categories this year. Now is your chance to be part of the region\u2019s defining recognition for innovators.<\/p>\n \t Collectively, the 100 privately held companies generated more than $8.5 billion from 2021 to 2023, while growing average sales by 80%. Plano-based data center infrastructure company Maverick Power took the top spot in the annual rankings. Here’s the full list of winners.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SMU_BradCheves-atcenter-970.jpg\")
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