LISLE, Ill. (March 24, 2025)— The Morton Arboretum has announced the appointment of David Chearo as its new vice president of operations and planning. He joined the Arboretum on March 24, reporting to President and CEO Jill Koski.

In this newly established role, Chearo will lead planning initiatives to support the Arboretum’s strategic direction and priorities, including executing the organization’s new long-term comprehensive site plan. He will provide leadership for facilities, information technology, sustainability, and site planning and design.

“David’s extensive experience in advancing strategic initiatives and capital projects in higher education will provide essential leadership to further the Arboretum’s key priorities and vision of a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together,” Koski said.

Chearo most recently served as vice president for planning and chief of staff at Clark University in Massachusetts. There he established a new comprehensive campus plan working with university and community stakeholders in partnership with an interdisciplinary architecture firm. Chearo led the design and construction process for major capital projects and enhancements to the campus grounds and visitor experience, including significant sustainability improvements. He also oversaw areas responsible for facilities management, institutional data and research, events and board operations.

Chearo’s previous roles include chief of staff to the president of Wesleyan University and associate vice president at the University of Chicago. Additionally, he has worked in social sciences data collection, directing the University of Chicago Survey Lab.

Chearo holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago. He is also a veteran, having enlisted and served honorably in the United States Marine Corps.