Dale Steenbergen will take over as president and CEO of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
The chamber's board announced the hire Oct. 22 after a national search, according to a chamber statement. The Wichita Business Journal also reported the appointment. Steenbergen currently leads the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce. He has led the Cheyenne chamber since 2007.
A board search committee chaired by Jeff Weiford evaluated candidates and recommended Steenbergen to the full board, which voted to appoint him. The committee engaged an executive search firm, though the chamber did not name the firm.
Weiford said in the chamber's announcement that Steenbergen's nearly two decades running a chamber and his advocacy work set him apart from the field. "We had strong candidates, including exceptional leadership within our organization," Weiford said. "Dale's years as a chamber CEO and his advocacy experience were distinguishing factors in our decision."
The chamber said Steenbergen's career has centered on business advocacy, government relations, public policy and military affairs. In Wyoming, the board credited him with pushing pro-business policies and supporting military investment that aided economic development across the state.
Steenbergen replaces John Rolfe, who resigned in January. Rolfe had led the chamber since October 2021. During his tenure, the chamber established its Military Affairs Council to strengthen ties between McConnell Air Force Base and the business community, according to a January chamber announcement.
Brecken Morel, the chamber's chief strategy and operations officer, stepped in as interim president and CEO after Rolfe's departure. The chamber said she oversaw membership growth and maintained strong financial performance. Morel will return to her operations role when Steenbergen arrives.
Board chair Gabe Schlickau praised Morel's interim leadership in the announcement, saying she "did more than maintain operations" and "helped move the Chamber forward."
Steenbergen said in the announcement that he looks forward to working with the board, staff and community partners to champion policies that help the Wichita region grow.
