AUSTIN EKELER FOUNDATION APPOINTS NEW BOARD MEMBER, DAVID ORTIZ
The Austin Ekeler Foundation has announced the appointment of their newest board member, David Ortiz.
The Austin Ekeler Foundation aims to provide opportunities to those in need by bringing reusable resources to communities across the nation that can be utilized by a large number of people for many years to come.To date, the foundation has impacted over 10,800 individuals, renovated three gyms, and distributed more than $832,000 to those who need to it most.
“I started a foundation to help those that may find themselves in situations similar to mine growing up. It’s gratifying to see game changers like David joining our board as we aim to broaden our impact and give hardworking individuals the added support they need to achieve their passions.”
Ortiz joins the Foundation with extensive experience building and leading award-winning products and teams at Fortune 500 corporations and as an independent entrepreneur. He joined the video game industry in 1996 and is an innovative executive with over two decades of global experience pioneering award-winning products in both the video game and real money gaming markets.
Currently, Ortiz is the CEO and Founder of Simwin Sports, a company focused on developing groundbreaking experiences at the intersection of fantasy sports, real money gaming, and esports. Previously, at EA Sports, Ortiz held a senior leadership role on the Madden NFL team and helped pioneer the Game Designer role for Microsoft working on the NFL Fever franchise and helping launch the first-ever title on the XBOX Live platform.
“I am excited to join the board for the Austin Ekeler Foundation. Austin is a good guy with an inspiring professional football journey. I really respect and appreciate how he is using his platform as an opportunity to support high school athletes and the programs that try to build them up. I am happy to help him and the team do some good. ”
Committed to balancing his time as an entrepreneur and being of service, Ortiz volunteers as varsity high school football coach in southern California, has taught tech entrepreneurship to exchange students at Seattle University, has served as a Board Advisor to the Washington State University Game Development Program, and is a Board Member for the Interactive Game Developers Association.
Ortiz joins an accomplished Austin Ekeler Foundation Board, alongside Madison Dodson, Bill Ekeler, and Brad Griffiths.