Brad Cheves, a senior executive at Southern Methodist University (SMU), has been appointed as the next president and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber. He will assume the role in January, succeeding Dale Petroskey, who led the organization for nearly 12 years before stepping down this summer for family reasons, according to a report from the Dallas Business Journal.
Cheves’ selection follows a months-long search conducted by Russell Reynolds Associates and a nine-member committee made up of past, current, and future board chairs. Among them was Darcy Anderson, vice chair at Hillwood Development, who represented the commercial real estate sector on the committee and is set to serve as board chair next year.
The chamber plans to introduce Cheves at its annual meeting on January 27 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
At age 63, Cheves brings two decades of experience as SMU’s senior vice president for development and external affairs. In that role, he managed fundraising, marketing, and community engagement efforts. He also led SMU’s $1.65 billion “SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow” campaign, which reached its goal three years ahead of schedule.
“I love SMU, and there’s never a good time to leave a place you love, but if there is a time, it’s now,” Cheves told the outlet. He added that his focus at the chamber will be on education and workforce development because he believes these areas are essential for maintaining Dallas’ economic momentum.
Dale Petroskey described Cheves as “a proven and highly respected leader,” adding that he is taking over “the best job in America” during what Petroskey called “a sweet moment in time for the Dallas region.” During Petroskey’s tenure, Fortune 500 firms in DFW increased by one third and more than 70 Fortune 1000 companies joined the chamber.
Cheves has served on several boards including Broadway Dallas, Circle Ten Council of Scouting America, Texas Lyceum, and Dallas Council on Foreign Relations. His connections across business sectors are expected to support the chamber’s continued influence as Dallas grows as a global corporate hub.
Former Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall called Cheves “the right leader for a new era,” while Cowboys owner Jerry Jones praised his “remarkable record of success.”
Cheves expressed optimism about Dallas’ future: he said he remains confident in the city’s resilience going forward.
