Dawson serves as President of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, where he leads business, community, economic, and workforce development efforts for the growing Columbus area. In the summer of 2022, Dawson led a Chamber backed public, private, and philanthropic initiative to purchase a childcare center that was closing its doors to start Columbus Area Childcare, a new nonprofit childcare center in the community. Dawson is one of the youngest chamber executives in the Midwest, has previously served as President of the Nebraska Chambers Association, and was a recipient of the 2025 Economic Development 40 Under 40. 

Dawson is married to his high school sweetheart Taylor, and the two welcomed their first child Ava in 2023 and Ellie this past June. Ava attends Columbus Area Childcare and Ellie will join her this fall. They also have a seven-year-old German Shepherd named DeLuca who enjoys the little peace and quiet she gets around the house.