Chappelear is the principal of InternaSource, LLC, a private consulting practice engaged in developing human capital, the accumulated knowledge and skills that make an institutional workforce productive. He is also a board member for Gregory Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the majority shareholder of UPM Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an independent drug development and contract manufacturer that had its beginnings in the School of Pharmacy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Chappelear received his BS in pharmacy from the Medical University of South Carolina School of Pharmacy in 1960 and an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from UMB in 1998. Additionally, he completed postgraduate work in psychology and economics at Jacksonville University and the University of Florida.

Chappelear has served on the UMBF Board of Trustees since 2007.