FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta— The Board of Directors of Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism (FMWBEDT) has appointed Lisa Sweet as the new Interim CEO. She succeeds Dennis Vroom, who led the organization since April 2024 while on secondment from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).

Sweet, who holds an M.B.A. from Southern New Hampshire University, has been with FMWBEDT since 2011, most recently leading the Business and Investment Attraction team. She is also a board member of Economic Developers Alberta, where she has garnered attention from peers across the province.

Keith McGrath, Chair of the Board, expressed confidence in Sweet’s leadership. “Lisa Sweet is dedicated to growing the economy of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, and the Board is confident that she has the experience and relationships to deliver results across our region,” McGrath said. He also highlighted the growth potential in the region, noting, “The people who live and work here know what incredible opportunities there are. FMWBEDT can provide tools and programs to enable the local community to share in this prosperity.”

The leadership transition follows the RMWB Council’s unanimous decision to dismiss FMWBEDT’s previous board of directors in April 2024. The former CEO was instructed to report directly to the RMWB Council before being replaced by Vroom.