Dallas Regional Chamber

DALLAS, Texas (December 22, 2008)… The Dallas Regional Chamber today announces the selection of James C. Oberwetter, former United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and currently Chairman, Oberwetter & Company, LLC, as the new Chamber President, replacing Jan Hart Black who has served as Chamber President for the past ten years. He will join the Chamber on February 1. Prior to his ambassadorial service, Oberwetter was Senior Vice President of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., of Dallas where he advised the Chairman, Ray L. Hunt, and the Hunt family of companies including Hunt Oil Company, on governmental and public affairs strategies domestically and internationally.

“Jim brings a great international perspective to the chamber’s executive position,” said Bob Best, Chairman and CEO of Atmos Energy and 2009 Chairman of the Chamber. “His international experience will greatly enhance our international economic development efforts.”

“Jim has deep roots in Dallas, and has a strong understanding of the political, policy and civic processes at the local, state and national and international levels. His skills are uniquely and perfectly suited to this organization,” according to Bob Chereck, 2008 Chamber Chairman and Dallas Regional President, Wells Fargo Bank.

"I am honored to have been selected to serve as President. The vision and work of the volunteer business leadership in the Dallas area makes it a terrific place to do business both in good times and in challenging times such as we face today. I look forward to working with the leadership, members, and business organizations throughout North Texas to help further improve the economic climate of the region."

Oberwetter’s past civic service includes: chairman, Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse; chairman, City of Dallas Civil Service Commission; chairman, bipartisan City of Dallas Redistricting Committee; chairman of the Volunteer Center; vice chairman, Dallas Fort Worth World Affairs Council; executive committee, Dallas Metropolitan YMCA; board of the Greenhill School; chairman, Dallas Committee for Desegregation Implementation for which he received the honorary Lifetime Achievement Award of the Texas Parent Teacher Association. He was nominated for the U.S. Department of State, Cobb Award, for outstanding Ambassador of the year. He was educated at the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1969 with a BJ degree from the School of Communications. He and his wife Anita make their home in Dallas. They have three grown children and belong to King of Glory Lutheran Church.

The Dallas Regional Chamber promotes prosperity through public policy, economic development and member engagement.

For further information contact Lauren Parsons, 214-746-6690.