Ron Gilbertson is the President and CEO of Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, a not-for-profit company owned by the City of Edmonton that is responsible for regional economic development and tourism marketing, and management of the Shaw Conference Centre and Edmonton Research Park.

He was previously with the Alberta Research Council where as vice president he was responsible for restructuring the technology commercialization division and investment fund, and for implementing a growth plan for the Engineered Products and Services division.

Prior to joining the ARC, Ron was president of Lacent Technologies where he helped transform the start-up company into a world leader in high speed laser cutting. He has also served as president of the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority, leading the organization through its formative years and establishing Canada's first independent airports authority.

Earlier in his career as a senior manager at Stanley Associate Engineering, Ron help build one of Western Canada's largest economics consulting practices and Canada's second largest airports and aviation consulting group. He is an honours graduate of the University of Saskatchewan's Bachelor of Commerce program and carries a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Manitoba.

Ron has served on the Board of Directors for the Sawridge Group of Companies, Lacent Technologies Inc., Agrigenomics Inc. and Inno-Centre Alberta Inc. A dedicated community supporter, he has also contributed volunteer time to a variety of organizations including the United Way, Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, the World University Student Games, local community leagues and the Edmonton Society for the Hearing Impaired.