Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors elected Ross Perot Jr., Chairman of Hillwood and The Perot Group, as new chair for a two-year term. Perot succeeds Mark Ordan, Chief Executive Officer of Pediatrix.
Perot began his term today after Ordan passed the gavel at the U.S. Chamber Board meeting.
Previously, Perot was vice chair of the U.S. Chamber Board of Directors and has been an engaged member of the U.S. Chamber Board since June 2020.
“Since joining the board, Ross Perot Jr. has become a trusted advisor, assuming numerous leadership roles to help drive the Chamber’s long-term strategic goals,” said Suzanne P. Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “He is recognized as a visionary and influential business leader with a global mindset, largely responsible for complex development projects that have spurred transformative economic growth. As chair, he will bring his global leadership, passion for free enterprise, and pioneering spirit to help the Chamber advance policies that unlock greater economic growth at home and abroad.”
“Mark Ordan was an exceptional chair who led an important transition period for the Chamber. He exemplifies what it means to be an engaged leader, and we are grateful for Mark’s dedication and continued engagement on the board,” Clark said.
Perot’s two-year term starts as the Chamber continues advocating to enact pro-growth policies, including making tax reform permanent, expanding domestic energy production, finalizing new trade agreements, and advancing permitting reform. Focusing on policies that sustain economic growth encourages more investments in America, creates jobs, and fosters innovation.
“The U.S. Chamber is the leading voice fighting for free enterprise and American businesses of all sizes, and I’m honored to serve as board chair,” said Ross Perot Jr. “The free enterprise system is what allowed my family to create and live the American dream, and there’s no other organization standing up for economic freedom around the world like the Chamber. Suzanne Clark is an outstanding leader, and I look forward to working even closer with her and the executive team to serve the American business community.”
Perot serves as Chairman of the Perot Group, which manages various family interests, including real estate, oil and gas, and long-term financial investments in businesses. He is also Chairman of Hillwood, a Texas-based, leading global real estate development company he founded in 1988.
Perot is the co-founder of Perot Systems Corporation and has served in various roles within the company, including CEO, Chairman of the Board, and member of its Board of Directors. Perot Systems was acquired by Dell Inc. in 2009, at which time Mr. Perot joined their Board of Directors, where he served until 2013.
“Ross is a forward-thinking leader whose dedication to growth and opportunity is an incredible asset to the Chamber team,” said Mark Ordan. “Ross has a lifetime of experience working collaboratively within the public and private sectors, and his expertise is highly valued by the other directors. He is a staunch and full-throated supporter of the Chamber’s mission and work, and I know Ross will do great work on behalf of American businesses as chair of the board.”
In addition to the U.S. Chamber, Perot Jr. currently serves on the boards of the American Enterprise Institute and the Hoover Institution and is a member of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is also a Board Member Emeritus for Vanderbilt University, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and St. Mark's School of Texas.
In 1982, at the age of 23, Ross Perot Jr. made history by completing the first circumnavigation of the globe by helicopter, piloting a Bell 206L-1 Long Ranger II named "The Spirit of Texas." The 26,000-mile trip was completed in less than 30 days and covered 26 countries and 17 bodies of water.
Perot joined the United States Air Force in 1983 and flew F-4 Phantom jets for eight years.
Perot earned his BA in business administration from Vanderbilt University.
Read the Chamber’s profile on Ross Perot Jr. here.
The U.S. Chamber Board also elected Jill Wyant to a two-year term as vice chair, succeeding Perot. Jill Wyant is the President and CEO of Madison Air, one of the world’s leading privately held companies which has a best-in-class portfolio of innovative brands focused on making the world safer, healthier, and more productive through the power of better air. Jill is a senior strategy and operating executive with over 25 years of experience leading Fortune 500 businesses in the industrial and healthcare sectors. Wyant has been on the U.S. Chamber Board of Directors since March 2023 and is a member of the Executive Committee.
Wyant also serves on the board of directors for Dow and the Brain Tumor Network. She previously served on the boards of directors of the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and the Greater Twin Cities United Way.
"I look forward to working closely with Suzanne and Ross, especially at this time, when the stakes for American business, and American workers, is high. The U.S. Chamber is where leadership meets impact – and the future of American industry is forged. I'm excited to get to work," said Jill Wyant.
