Dan Beebe was named the third commissioner of the Big 12 Conference on September 5, 2007, after serving as senior associate commissioner and chief operating officer of the league since February 2003.

While in that role, Beebe handled issues related to governance, national policy and legal affairs in addition to coordinating the day-to-day activities of the conference office. He also served as the conference liaison to the Big 12 board of directors. Beebe has been involved in the league's site selection for future championships, extending television contracts and enhancing football bowl opportunities. In addition, he has been active in establishing the conference's sportsmanship policies and procedures.

Prior to joining the Big 12, Beebe was commissioner of the Ohio Valley Conference from 1989-2003. During his 14-year tenure at the OVC he served on the NCAA Division I Management Council, chaired the I-AA Governance Committee, and was on several Collegiate Commissioners Association committees, in addition to various NCAA assignments, including the Athletics Certification Committee.

Under his direction the OVC added five new members. He also placed an emphasis on ethics and sportsmanship within the league, producing a nationally recognized Sportsmanship Statement and participating in regional and national seminars on the topic.

Among his other highlights at the OVC, Beebe implemented a conference-wide marketing plan that resulted in new revenue streams through corporate sponsorships and other initiatives, and saw television exposure for the league nearly triple.

The 50-year old Washington state native began his career in college athletics in 1982 as an NCAA enforcement representative. Following a one-year stint as assistant director of athletics at Wichita State, he returned to the NCAA in 1987 as director of enforcement.

A 1982 University of California Hastings College of the Law graduate, Beebe lettered in football and was a team captain at Cal Poly Pomona where he earned a degree in social science in 1979. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association.

Born on February 27, 1957, Beebe is married to the former Molly Scanlon. Together, they have four children: daughters Jessie and Elaine and sons Matthew and Paddy.