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The Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) today announced Brad Cheves, Senior Vice President for Development and External Affairs at Southern Methodist University (SMU), has been named its next President & CEO, effective Jan. 5, 2026.
Cheves succeeds Dale Petroskey, who announced in July his decision to step away from his role at the end of 2025 after nearly 12 years leading the DRC. His appointment follows a nationwide search.
“It is a distinct honor to assume the role of President & CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber, an organization that contributes so much to the quality of life and economic vibrancy of our region,” said Cheves. “Under 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.”
Petroskey said he is thrilled with the selection of Cheves.
“Brad is stepping 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,” Petroskey said. “Brad is a proven leader, highly respected, and well-established throughout our community—and a friend to so many of us. He is the perfect person to lead the DRC’s incredibly talented and hard-working team and our members into a new chapter filled with exciting new possibilities.”
A record of leadership and results
At SMU, Cheves has led the university’s efforts in fundraising, marketing, communications, and community engagement. He spearheaded SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow—a $1.656 billion campaign that surpassed its goal three years early and stands among the largest in Texas higher education history.
Cheves also directed SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign and helped secure the George W. Bush Presidential Center for the SMU campus. Earlier, he served as Vice President for Advancement and Public Affairs at Pepperdine University, where he created the university’s 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’ relationships and community insight will benefit members throughout the region.
“We are thrilled to have Brad as the next leader of the DRC,” Springfield said. “His experience 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.”
Darcy Anderson, 2026 DRC Board Chair and Vice Chairman of Hillwood, a Perot Company, added that Cheves’ record of achievement aligns perfectly with the DRC’s mission.
“Brad’s record of achievement and impact at SMU provides a strong foundation for advancing the DRC’s legacy of excellence in service and impact, while continuing the remarkable momentum built under Dale’s leadership,” Anderson said.
Community leadership and regional perspective
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Cheves is deeply involved in civic life across North Texas. 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’s Advocacy Group of New Friends New Life. He is also an elder at the Preston Road Church of Christ.
Cynt Marshall, 2024 DRC Board Chair and President & CEO of Marshalling Resources, said Cheves’ energy and regional knowledge make him well-suited to lead the organization into its next chapter.
“We are excited to welcome Brad Cheves as our new President and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber,” Marshall said. “Brad’s energy, ability to lead, and intimate knowledge of the region will serve us well as we enter a new era for the DRC. From a very talented pool of candidates, Brad was chosen for his incredible track record of getting big things done and positively impacting communities.”
A thoughtful and inclusive search process
Cheves’ appointment culminates a comprehensive national search that began shortly after Petroskey announced his planned retirement in July. The search was led by Russell Reynolds Associates, in partnership with a nine-member selection committee of past, current, and future DRC Board Chairs.
David Krahe, Managing Director at Russell Reynolds Associates, praised the DRC’s approach to CEO succession.
“Getting CEO succession right begins long before the search starts,” Krahe said. “The Dallas Regional Chamber Board set a strong example by listening broadly and engaging diverse voices to shape its next era of impact. We were proud to partner with the board on a process grounded in foresight and purpose.”
Building on a legacy of impact
Jennifer Chandler, 2027 DRC Board Chair and Dallas President and Head of Philanthropic Solutions at Bank of America, praised Petroskey’s leadership and expressed confidence in the DRC’s future.
“Dale Petroskey’s leadership has been instrumental in elevating the DRC to national prominence, including being named National Chamber of the Year,” Chandler said. “With record growth and continued opportunity ahead, we are confident the DRC is well positioned for its next chapter of leadership and impact across the Dallas Region.”
Chandler was appointed 2027 Board Chair by the DRC’s Executive Committee on Tuesday, July 8, to support her service on the selection committee.
Petroskey assumed the role of DRC President & CEO on April 1, 2014. Under his stewardship, the organization’s budget grew by more than 50%, allowing North Texas’ largest regional chamber to invest millions back into the community through high-impact initiatives — including the highly effective “Take Care of Business” COVID-19 vaccination campaign in 2021, the “Safe in the City” 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’s economic development work has contributed more than 300 company headquarters to the Dallas Region. During Petroskey’s tenure, the number of Fortune 500 companies in Dallas–Fort Worth grew by 33%, and more than 70 Fortune 1000 companies became DRC members.
“The DRC is poised to continue as a convening agent for all the elements that contribute to the quality of life for our citizens—vibrant educational institutions, effective economic development initiatives, innovative regional partnerships, unique leadership development opportunities, and a continuing commitment to our community,” Cheves said. “I look forward to contributing to the ongoing growth of the DRC as we enter an exciting new era of opportunity for our region.”
About Brad Cheves
A native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cheves earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Abilene Christian University and a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and has worked with the Texas State Legislature.
Cheves and his wife, Angela, have three sons—Kyle, Conner, and Keaton—all of whom are SMU Mustangs.