An enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, McCaleb was appointed by President George W. Bush to lead the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in 2001. In nearly two years in the post, McCaleb led in the reorganization of the BIA to make a more responsive and effective trustee organization for Native American interests in the management of 56 million acres of Indian Trust Land.

Since leaving the BIA in 2003, McCaleb has served the Chickasaw Nation as an advisor to Gov. Bill Anoatubby. He is charged with assisting the Chickasaw Nation with the development of long-term economic strategies.  McCaleb also serves on the board of directors of Bank 2, which is wholly owned by the Chickasaw Nation. He serves on the board of directors of Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc.

McCaleb also served more than 10 years as the state secretary of transportation for former Govs. Frank Keating and Henry Bellmon. While transportation secretary and director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, McCaleb helped develop plans for the John Kilpatrick Turnpike in Oklahoma City and the Creek Turnpike in Tulsa. Under Gov. Keating, he led the largest highway construction program in state history.

A civil engineer by training, McCaleb graduated from Oklahoma A&M College in 1957 among the last class of Aggies. He was in the private practice of engineering and real estate development for 32 years . He has also spent 20 years in public service including eight years in the state Legislature. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, he served four years as the Republican floor leader.