The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce board on Dec. 15 voted unanimously to accept the appointment of the chamber's Executive Vice President Dave Petersen as the organization’s interim president and CEO.

The board also voted to formally accept the resignation of Chamber President and CEO Richard Perez, who recently announced he was stepping down from his role effective Dec. 31, 2022.

Perez will stay on as a consultant into 2023 while a search is conducted for his successor, a news release said.

According to the release, Petersen began his employment with the San Antonio chamber in April 2015 after a 30-year U.S. Air Force career, where he retired as a brigadier general. Throughout his career, he served as an F-15 pilot; commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels; and retired as the deputy director of intelligence, operations and nuclear integration for flying training at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.

Following his military retirement, Petersen has served as an independent consultant and small-business owner as well as worked as a senior executive at a Fortune 100 company, the release said.

Phil Green, San Antonio chamber 2022 board chair and CEO of Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc. and Frost Bank, said his organization is in good hands with Petersen at the helm.

“[Petersen] understands the ins and outs of the organization and has played an integral role in the execution of this year’s governance restructure and the development of the chamber’s new strategic plan,” Green said.

KGBTexas Communications CEO Katie Harvey, the chamber’s incoming 2023 board chair, said she feels confident and comfortable in Petersen’s ability to lead the chamber through a period of transition.

“He has vast experience, is an excellent and respected leader, and understands the importance of the position and the direction the organization is headed,” Harvey said.

Petersen said he is honored to lead the chamber on an interim basis and voiced excitement about the organization’s future.

“The team and I are ready to begin executing a comprehensive strategic plan to take the chamber to the next level and ensure future success,” Petersen said.