Topeka, KS — The Greater Topeka Partnership is proud to announce that Bob Ross, who has served as Chief Marketing Officer for the organization, has been named President of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. Ross has held the role of Interim Chamber President for the past four months, during which he demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision.
His appointment follows a comprehensive nationwide search led by a committee of local business and community leaders. Ross’s selection reflects his deep understanding of the Topeka business landscape and his proven ability to lead with innovation and collaboration.
“Bob brings an incredible depth of talent, creativity, and strategic thinking to our team,” said Molly Howey, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership. “His contributions have been instrumental to the recent success of both the Partnership and the broader Topeka community. We’re thrilled to see him step into this new role and are confident his leadership will continue to elevate the Chamber and our region.”
Ross has been with the Greater Topeka Partnership since 2019, most recently serving as Chief Marketing Officer. Before joining the Partnership, he spent more than 20 years in private-sector leadership roles with Payless ShoeSource and Academy Sports + Outdoors. A vocal advocate for Topeka’s momentum, Ross has helped elevate the community’s profile through local, national, and international media, earning multiple awards for marketing and communications excellence. He most recently led the Partnership’s successful effort to be named a 2024 ACCE Chamber of the Year Finalist. Ross also holds the Institute for Organizational Management (IOM) certification from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Midwest Institute in Madison, Wisconsin.
“Bob’s passion and energy are contagious,” said Beth Easter, Chair of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. “In just a few months as interim president, he’s already made a lasting impact. He’s a natural fit for this role and for our community, and we’re excited to see where he’ll take us next.”
Ross will officially assume the role of President effective immediately.
“I’m honored to serve as President of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce,” said Bob Ross. “Topeka is an extraordinary community that’s capturing national attention for its momentum and progress. I’m excited to work on behalf of our business community and to collaborate with our elected leaders and community stakeholders to advance policies and projects that help every Topekan thrive. Together, we’ll continue building a vibrant economy that strengthens our entire region.”