FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. — [October 13, 2026] — Bob Swindell, whose leadership has helped shape Greater Fort Lauderdale’s rise as a destination for business and talent, today announced that he will retire as President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance in 2027.

During more than two decades with the Alliance, Swindell has worked alongside business leaders, local governments, academia, and community partners to bring new opportunities to Broward County and the entire South Florida region. A lifelong Broward County resident, Swindell joined the Alliance in 2003 as Senior Vice President of Business Development, and became President and CEO in 2009. During his tenure, the Alliance supported major company expansions and relocations, strengthened partnerships across the county’s 31 municipalities, and advanced efforts to grow high-skill, high-wage jobs. 

Under his leadership, the Alliance assisted companies in creating and retaining more than 62,000 jobs, generating over $3.5 billion in capital investments for Broward County.

“Greater Fort Lauderdale’s success has always been a team effort and everything we’ve accomplished has been based on partnership,” Swindell said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with people who believe deeply in this community and are willing to do the hard work of building its future. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’m excited about what comes next for Broward County and the Alliance.”

Under Swindell’s leadership, the Alliance and its partners helped attract, retain, and support companies such as Amazon, American Express, AutoNation, Chewy, JetBlue, Kaplan, and Royal Caribbean.

“Bob has been an extraordinary champion for Greater Fort Lauderdale,” said Brian Huseman, Alliance Chair and Vice President, Public Policy and Community Engagement for Amazon. “His leadership has made a lasting and strong impact for Broward County businesses and residents, and we are grateful for his more than two decades of service to the Alliance."

"We will begin a nationwide search to find the best possible candidate to become the new President and CEO. I look forward to working with Bob and the other members of the search committee on this process,” added Huseman.

Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen said, “Bob has built relationships that have turned ambitious ideas into real opportunities for our residents and businesses. We are grateful for his leadership and for the strong foundation he has created for the future of the Alliance. I wish Bob the very best in the next chapter of his life.”

“When making a significant leadership transition, it is best to do it from a position of strength,” added Swindell. “Today, the Alliance benefits from a robust project pipeline of new and expanding companies that rivals previous years, it maintains its strongest financial position in its history, and our market is one of the top business destinations in the world. The combined strength of our collaborative partnerships across our county, many cities, universities and targeted industries make this the opportune time to recruit the most qualified chief executive to lead the Alliance into the future.”

Before joining the Alliance, Swindell spent 18 years as president of Champion Manufacturing, an industrial supply company based in Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale. His extensive community leadership includes serving as Vice Chair of United Way of Broward County and on the boards of the Alan B. Levan | Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Broward Center of Innovation, Winterfest, NSU Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship, CareerSource Broward and the City of Fort Lauderdale Marine Advisory Board. He is also a past Chair of the Florida Economic Development Council and former board member of Enterprise Florida. In 1992, Swindell chaired the local American Red Cross board during Hurricane Andrew and, in 2013, graduated from Leadership Florida Class XXXI. His public service also includes gubernatorial appointments under Florida Governors Bob Martinez, Lawton Chiles, Jeb Bush and Rick Scott.

Swindell also helped establish the South Florida Marine Research Hub, bringing university researchers, businesses, and innovators together around opportunities in the ocean economy. The Marine Industries Association of South Florida recognized his contributions with its Golden Anchor lifetime achievement award in 2023. Other honors include being inducted into the Broward Schools Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018, Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s Outstanding Community Service Award, Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Visionary Leadership Award, induction into the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame, and named an Ultimate CEO by the South Florida Business Journal. He has also been included in Florida Trend’s Florida 500 every year since the annual designation was begun in 2018.  In 2013, Florida Governor Rick Scott presented Swindell with the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award, and in 2016, he was honored by the Florida Economic Development Council as Florida’s economic development professional of the year.

About The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance is Broward County’s official public-private partnership for economic development.  Its mission is to lead Broward County in building a stronger and more diverse economy by stimulating the creation of new jobs and capital investment while facilitating the growth and retention of businesses in Broward County.  Services offered by the Alliance include assistance with business relocation or expansion and site selection; incentive programs and information; market research; and serving as a liaison for workforce development between CareerSource Broward, educational institutions and the business community.  To learn more, visit www.gflalliance.org or call (954) 524-3113.

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