Brad E. Cheves

President and CEO, Dallas Regional Chamber

Brad E. Cheves serves as President and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC), where he leads the organization’s work to advance economic prosperity and enhance quality of life across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. In partnership with the DRC’s Board of Directors, staff, and more than 700 member companies and partners, Cheves oversees initiatives that drive regional economic development, strengthen education and workforce outcomes, expand talent pipelines and economic mobility, advocate for a pro-business policy environment, and foster cross-sector collaborations that support long-term, region-wide growth.

Cheves assumed his role on January 5, 2026, bringing a deep background in strategic leadership, public affairs, marketing and communications, and community engagement, informed by more than two decades of experience advancing institutional priorities across higher education, civic engagement, and community development.

Prior to joining the DRC, Cheves served as Senior Vice President for Development and External Affairs at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where he advanced the university’s strategic priorities by overseeing fundraising, alumni engagement, marketing and communications, and community relations. As SMU’s chief development officer, he led the University’s comprehensive campaign, SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow, a multiyear $1.656 billion initiative that exceeded its $1.5 billion goal three years ahead of schedule and became one of the largest campaigns in the history of private Texas universities.
 
In addition to directing SMU Ignited, Cheves played a key leadership role in the university’s previous comprehensive campaign, SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign, which strengthened academic programs, expanded student scholarships, supported faculty excellence, and enhanced campus facilities. He also contributed to the university leadership team that successfully developed the proposal to bring the George W. Bush Presidential Center to the SMU campus.
 
Since his appointment at SMU in 2004, Cheves championed innovative approaches to outreach and engagement, including the strategic use of emerging technologies to connect with alumni, prospective students, donors, and national media. These efforts contributed to significant growth in donor participation, increased endowments for scholarships and faculty positions, and an enhanced national and global reputation for the institution.
 
Earlier in his career, Cheves held senior leadership roles at Pepperdine University, serving as Vice President for Advancement and Public Affairs and as an Assistant Professor of Public Policy. He also served as Associate Dean at Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy and Director of Alumni Relations at Pepperdine’s School of Law, where he led organizational restructuring efforts and helped establish the university’s Office of Marketing.
 
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 degree 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 is actively engaged in civic leadership across the Dallas Region, serving on numerous boards and community organizations focused on arts, education, public policy, and youth development. He and his wife, Angela, have three sons.