Bob Swindell
Bob Swindell, President and CEO Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Bob Swindell has served as President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance—Broward County’s primary economic development organization—since 2009. Since joining the Alliance in 2003 as Senior Vice President of Business Development, Swindell and his team have worked to develop and cement South Florida as one of the nation’s leading business epicenters, and foster the growth and retention of high-skill, high-wage jobs and capital investment in high-value targeted industries to diversify the local economy, develop more vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life for local residents.
In his 20+ years of leadership at the Alliance, the organization has been a driving force behind major company expansions and relocations to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Area, including ATI, Chewy, Paisly (formerly known as JetBlue Travel Products), Kaplan, West Marine, and UKG, and has significantly accelerated economic and job growth in Broward County through amplified public-private partnerships across its 31 municipalities. Swindell was also part of a collaborative regional effort that landed South Florida on Amazon’s second headquarters top 20 shortlist.
As President and CEO of the Alliance, Mr. Swindell, in partnership with the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF), led the creation of the Marine Research Hub, a Fort Lauderdale based 501(c)(3) that fosters collaboration among the region’s leading ocean researchers, innovators, public and private university research institutions, and private sector businesses with the purpose of developing and scaling innovative sustainable solutions in the Blue Economy. For his contributions, he was honored with MIASF’s Golden Anchor lifetime achievement award in 2023.
A lifelong Broward resident and leader in the business community, Mr. Swindell serves on the boards of several organizations, including United Way of Broward County, Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, and NSU’s Alan B. Levan Broward Center of Innovation. He previously served as Chairman of the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC).
Bob Swindell has been the recipient of several awards and accolades throughout his career. He has been recognized as one of Florida Trend business magazine’s “500 Most Influential Floridians” each year since 2017, and named to News Service of Florida’s “50 Over 50” list in 2025. In 2021, Swindell was honored with the Visionary Leadership Award by the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce, and in 2018, he was inducted into the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber Business Hall of Fame. Mr. Swindell has also been named as an “Ultimate CEO” by South Florida Business Journal (2018), and honored as the Florida Economic Development Council’s Economic Development Professional of the Year (2016), and the American Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year (2015). In 2014, Swindell received the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Community Service Award, and in 2013, he was presented with the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award for his impactful work to expand jobs in Broward County.
GREETING
Thank you for visiting The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance (the Alliance) website! The Alliance is Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County's official public/private partnership for economic development. Our mission is to lead Broward County in building a stronger and more diverse economy. We do this by promoting increased public/private sector collaboration, delivering business development initiatives focused on new investment and job growth, enhancing the competitiveness of Broward's business climate and driving regional initiatives.
This site will help to answer your questions about our County, its 31 municipalities and the Alliance.
Along with its partners, the Alliance markets Broward County with strategic initiatives to reach company executives, site selectors and real estate consultants. The top public and private sector leaders in Broward County are involved in the Alliance, including business, government, academia and community leaders. As a prime global business destination, we are continually marketing for new investments, while providing a home to thousands of businesses who serve their markets across this continent, to Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe.
We are positioned at the center of one of the most dynamic regions and diverse economies in the U.S. with a population nearing six million. Among the amenities you will find here are Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades. Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport provides non-stop service to Europe, Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and over 44 U.S. cities. Encompassing 2,190 acres, it is a leading container port in Florida and among the most active cargo ports in the United States.
Domestic growth, capital investment, entrepreneurship, international business relations and corporate headquarters attraction are common interests of our membership, our "investors." Their efforts in areas of workforce and K-12 development, minority- and women-owned business development, and recruitment, retention and expansion directly impact the economic vision and success of Broward County.
Economic development results from the collaborative efforts of an "Alliance." We invite you to become a part of our business community, building a better future for us all, while enjoying the highest quality of life right at your doorstep. We welcome every opportunity to showcase our County and our region, along with its unique lifestyle, to let you know how you can build a wonderful future for your family, your employees, and your business.
For more information on relocating, expanding or consolidating your business in Broward County, please call on the Alliance. Our staff and volunteers stand ready to assist you!
Sincerely,
Bob Swindell
President & CEO