David G. Brown

David G. Brown was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. One of six children, he distinguished himself in academics and athletics, earning admission to Dartmouth College. After graduation, he returned to Michigan and began a career in economic development, first in Monroe and then in Flint. He later returned to Monroe for his first leadership position before being recruited to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he led economic development efforts and eventually became chamber president. He then served as president of the Greater Greenville Chamber in South Carolina. In October 2003, he became President and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, serving in that role until May 2022.

Under his leadership, the 3,000-member Omaha Chamber championed a strong business climate, advanced regional growth, and elevated Omaha’s standing as a premier region for business and talent. During his tenure, the Chamber led public policy initiatives statewide that resulted in landmark legislation, while its economic development partnership helped secure 972 projects, 56,433 new jobs, and nearly $15 billion in new investment.

Brown also helped launch Omaha 2040, a long-range regional vision centered on people, place, and prosperity. That work contributed to major regional initiatives including the Urban Core Strategic Plan, the ConnectGO regional transit strategy, and workforce and leadership development initiatives designed to strengthen collaboration and opportunity across Omaha’s business community.

Following his retirement from the Chamber, Brown founded DGB & Associates, LLC and became Lead Consultant with Next Generation Consulting, advising clients on long-range visioning and strategic foresight.

Brown has remained deeply engaged in civic and community leadership. He co-founded the Omaha Business Ethics Alliance and served on the USSTRATCOM Consultation Committee, the Men’s College World Series Board, multiple United Way of the Midlands campaign cabinets, and the Opera Omaha board. Nationally, he chaired the Board of Directors of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) and served on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100.

David and his wife, Maggie, have called Omaha home since 2003. They are the proud parents of Gregory and Elijah and grandparents to Cordelia.

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