David has over 24 years of nonprofit leadership, management and fundraising experience at the local, regional, state and national levels. He previously served the American Red Cross for over 14 years in multiple senior leadership positions across the country, including El Paso, TX, Dallas, TX, Tallahassee, FL, Washington, D.C, and Corpus Christi, TX.  David began his Red Cross career as the State Director of Government and External Relations in Illinois, representing the Red Cross to state and federal government leaders, raised $3 million in state support for Red Cross capital projects, and coordinating statewide disaster response and planning with emergency management.

In addition to his experience with the Red Cross, he also served as the first statewide Executive Director for The ALS Association Texas Chapter, a senior level position with the Council for a Strong America in Washington, D.C. where he raised over $3M in grant funding and, more recently served as an Executive Director for domestic violence and sexual assault centers in Texas and Illinois. Prior to joining Family Service of El Paso, he served as the National Development Director for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

Before joining the nonprofit world, David worked for six years in state and local government in Illinois, including positions with the Office of the City Manager of the City of Carbondale, Office of the Illinois Lt. Governor, and the Illinois General Assembly. In 2000, David was elected to the Divernon Village Board in his first-ever campaign for public office. He has also served as an Adjunct Instructor at Blackburn College where he taught State and Local Government. Chayer also served as a volunteer firefighter, and, for five years, served as the Head Cross Country Coach at Auburn Junior and Senior High School in Illinois.

Originally from St. Anne, Illinois, David holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois and a Master’s of Public Administration degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is married to his wife Zyanya and has two daughters, Zyanya Dorothy Chayer and Katie St. Peter.

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