Brad Cheves, a senior executive at Southern Methodist University (SMU), has been named the next president and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber. He will assume his new role in January, succeeding Dale Petroskey, who led the organization for nearly 12 years before stepping down this summer.
Cheves’ selection follows a search process conducted by Russell Reynolds Associates and a nine-member committee composed of past, current, and future board chairs. Among them was Darcy Anderson, vice chair of Hillwood Development, who represented the commercial real estate sector and is set to serve as the chamber’s board chair next year.
The Dallas Regional Chamber plans to formally introduce Cheves at its annual meeting on January 27 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
Cheves has spent two decades as SMU’s senior vice president for development and external affairs. In that capacity, he oversaw 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 said in an interview with the Dallas Business Journal. He added that his focus at the chamber will be on education and workforce development—areas he considers essential for maintaining Dallas’ economic growth.
Dale Petroskey described Cheves as “a proven and highly respected leader,” saying he is taking on “the best job in America” during what Petroskey called “a sweet moment in time for the Dallas region.” During Petroskey’s tenure, the number of Fortune 500 companies in Dallas-Fort Worth increased by one-third, with more than 70 Fortune 1000 firms joining the chamber.
Cheves has served on boards including Broadway Dallas, Circle Ten Council of Scouting America, Texas Lyceum, and Dallas Council on Foreign Relations. His broad connections across business, academia, and philanthropy are expected to help continue shaping Dallas as a global corporate center.
Former Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall called Cheves “the right leader for a new era,” while Cowboys owner Jerry Jones noted his “remarkable record of success.”
Cheves expressed optimism about Dallas’ resilience and prospects for continued growth.
