Special Election June 2026

My name is David Fortier, and my wife, Amy and I have been proud residents of The Villages for the past two years. One of the primary reasons we chose to move here was the outstanding reputation and success of The Villages Senior Softball Organization. The friendships, competition, and sense of community it provides have made it everything we hoped it would be.

I have been involved in senior softball for over 15 years and I have had the privilege of coaching for much of that time. I coached the Chicago based Windy City Thunder team for five years, leading the team to a third place finish at the Worlds Championships. I also coached the 55 Major Rocky Mountain Thunder team out of Colorado for 8 years and was honored to lead that team to a World Championship Victory in 2020. This season, I am proud to be coaching The Villages Thunder team.

Professionally, I owned and operated my own construction business for 45 years. Running a successful business taught me the importance of leadership, accountability, communication, and treating people with respect. Throughout my career, I learned that the best leaders are those who listen, work hard, and help others succeed.

If elected to the Board, my goal is simple: to be a GOOD listener and a strong advocate for both my current and future teammates. I believe in making the people around me better, stronger and more successful. I will work hard to support and advocate for continued growth and the success of this organization while helping ensure that members feel heard, safe and represented.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

David Fortier

Division One Softball has earned its reputation as one of the premier senior softball organizations in the country thanks to the dedication of its players and volunteers, past and present, who built it. I am running for the board because I want to help keep D1 strong, competitive, and responsive to the needs of its players.

I have a deep appreciation for what makes our league special: safety, sportsmanship, community, and competitive play for athletes age 50 and older. I have seen firsthand the commitment required from managers, scorekeepers, umpires, and board members to keep D1 well-managed and fun for us all.

I believe strong leadership requires transparent communication, sound decision-making based on player input, and a willingness to protect our traditions while embracing practical improvements. My focus will be on enhancing player engagement, volunteer training and support, and streamlined league operations so D1 remains a first-class experience for current players and an attractive option for future Villages residents.

Qualifications:
- Active D1 player with firsthand knowledge of board/league operations and player concerns
- Experienced volunteer (umpire, D1 Evaluations Chair, and evaluations day three lead evaluator)
- Strong advocate for transparency, fairness, and accountability
- Effective communicator committed to collaboration and player engagement
- Dedicated to safety, community and competition, in that order

I have a good working relationship with the D1 board and am committed to serving the best interests of all D1 members.

I would appreciate your vote.

Christopher Schubert
Cedarburg, Wisconsin

I have been living and enjoying life in The Villages for 11 years. I have been playing D1 softball in The Villages for 11 seasons (over 3 years) and have managed 7 of those years. I also volunteer to umpire and score games as needed.

I feel I bring a new perspective if elected to the board as I am one of the younger players in this league and would like to see D1 softball be the best it can be going forward. The D1 softball family has been a positive place for me and I want to make sure that this continues in the future.

I would also hope no matter who you vote for in this election make sure you vote for the person that will help keep the D1 league the best it can be.