Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance’s David Coddington begins leadership role as Florida Economic Development Council chair for 2026-2027

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance has announced that its Senior Vice President for Business Development, David Coddington, has officially begun his term as Chair of the Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) for the 2026-2027 year. The appointment places a Greater Fort Lauderdale economic development leader at the center of statewide efforts focused on strengthening Florida’s business climate, workforce opportunities and future growth.

Coddington assumed the leadership role on July 1, 2026, following his service as FEDC Chair Elect. He succeeds Casey Barnes, a regional market and economic development leader for Melbourne-based architectural and engineering firm BRPH. Barnes will continue serving the organization in a new capacity as FEDC Foundation Chair.

The announcement of Coddington’s upcoming leadership position was first made in May during the FEDC’s annual Ignite Conference in Orlando, where economic development professionals from across the state gathered to discuss opportunities and challenges facing Florida communities.

Coddington said his goal as chair will be to help ensure Florida remains competitive while encouraging collaboration between businesses, government organizations and economic development groups throughout the state.

“Florida’s economy is strong, and the FEDC has a critical role to play in ensuring our state remains competitive, connected, and prepared for the future,” said Coddington. “Greater Fort Lauderdale has demonstrated what’s possible when public and private sectors align around a shared vision of workforce development, job creation, and capital investment. I’m committed to channeling that same energy for every region of Florida,” said Coddington.

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In his current role with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Broward County’s official public-private economic development partnership, Coddington works with companies from around the country and the world that are considering expansion or relocation opportunities in the region. His responsibilities include helping businesses navigate investment decisions, with a special focus on aviation and information technology industries.

Coddington is also recognized as the founder of South Florida TechGateway, a regional initiative designed to highlight the area’s growing technology sector. Through the message “Work in the Cloud, Live in the Sun,” the program promotes South Florida as a destination for technology companies, skilled workers and entrepreneurs while supporting the continued development of the local tech ecosystem.

Beyond his work with the Alliance, Coddington has built a strong record of community involvement. He currently serves on several advisory and leadership groups, including the Broward County Resiliency Steering Committee, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce’s Council of Economic Advisors, the Nova Southeastern University College of Computing and Engineering Advisory Board, and Broward County Public Schools’ STEM + Computer Science Advisory Committee.

His previous leadership roles include serving on the South Florida Tech Hub Executive Board of Directors, the Leadership Broward Executive Board of Directors, and Leadership Florida’s Gold Coast Regional Leadership Committee. Through these positions, Coddington has worked with organizations focused on education, technology, workforce preparation and regional development.

As FEDC Chair, Coddington will oversee the implementation of new statewide initiatives built around the organization’s three main priorities: Educate, Advocate and Connect. These pillars are designed to support Florida’s economic development professionals by providing education, representing industry needs and creating stronger connections among communities and business leaders.

FEDC Executive Director Beth Cicchetti praised Coddington’s experience and leadership approach, saying his background in partnership building and innovation will benefit communities throughout Florida.

“David Coddington brings a collaborative spirit, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to advancing economic development across Florida,” said Beth Cicchetti, CEcD, Executive Director of the Florida Economic Development Council. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an exceptional ability to build partnerships, foster innovation, and create opportunities that strengthen communities. As Board Chair, David will help lead FEDC in advancing our mission to educate, advocate for, and connect Florida’s economic development professionals. We congratulate him on this well-deserved leadership role and look forward to working together to strengthen Florida’s competitiveness and prosperity for years to come.”

Leaders from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance also welcomed the appointment, describing it as a recognition of Coddington’s long-standing commitment to economic growth in Broward County and across the state.

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Greater Fort Lauderdale President and CEO Bob Swindell, who previously served as FEDC Chair for two consecutive terms from 2014 to 2016, said Coddington’s experience makes him a strong choice for the statewide position.

“David is exactly the kind of leader Florida’s economic development community needs.” said Greater Fort Lauderdale President and CEO Bob Swindell, who served as FEDC Chair for two consecutive terms from 2014 to 2016. “Having chaired this organization myself, I know firsthand how much the FEDC relies on leaders like David. His record of building regional partnerships, championing innovation, and driving results for Greater Fort Lauderdale makes him exceptionally well-positioned to lead FEDC’s mission statewide. We are incredibly proud to see one of our own steps into this role.”

With Florida continuing to experience population growth, business expansion and increased competition among regions seeking new investment, officials say strong economic development leadership will remain essential. Coddington’s new role gives him the opportunity to bring lessons learned from Greater Fort Lauderdale to communities across the state while helping guide strategies that support jobs, innovation and long-term economic success.