Progress Marion Official Says Group Was Formed to Evaluate Candidates, Despite Conflicting Legal Language on Political Activity

OCALA, FL (352Today.com) —  David Tillman told attendees at the Marion County Candidate Forum on Thursday, June 25, 2026, that Progress Marion is an independent, business-focused organization formed to evaluate candidates on their merits.

Speaking at the Reilly Arts Center Thursday evening, Tillman said the group was created because the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) does not endorse or rate candidates. He described Progress Marion as a collection of local businesspeople who have long worked to generate jobs and economic growth in Marion County. The forum was presented by Progress Marion and hosted by the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership.

Tillman’s remarks appeared to directly address recent online criticism. 

“I want to tell you a little bit about Progress Marion because last night I read what [Marion County school board candidate] Brigitte Smith posted online about us, and it was from AI, and as you all know, AI is in its infancy stage, and it’s wrong quite frequently, and so it is wrong about Progress Marion,” he said. 

(AI searches about Progress Marion turn up results claiming “Progress Marion is a business development initiative and digital directory run by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP).”)

“We’re a business-focused and driven organization, independent of the CEP. We formed because the CEP does not endorse candidates or rate them on their merits. We’re businesspeople of Marion County who have been creating jobs and prosperity in this community for many years,” Tillman said, a statement that could reasonably be interpreted to say Progress Marion would be doing what the CEP does not.

Brigitte Smith is chairwoman of the Marion County Republican Executive Committee and a candidate for the open School Board District 4 seat. 

Progress Marion, Inc. is a Florida not-for-profit corporation that was converted from Progress Marion, LLC in March 2026. According to its Articles of Incorporation, the organization’s purpose is to advocate for continued, smart growth in Marion County through sustainable development.

The group’s leadership is drawn primarily from Ocala’s development and construction industries. Robert W. Batsel, Jr. serves as president and is a partner at Gooding, Batsel, Hartley & MacKay, where he focuses on land use and development law. Kenneth C. Ausley, vice president, is CEO of Ausley Construction. Matt Fabian, treasurer, is involved in Fabian Construction and HTM Developers and serves on the Marion County Industrial Development Authority. Jonathan D. Tillman is secretary and is associated with Tillman and Associates Engineering. Harvey W. Vandeven sits on the board and co-founded HTM Developers.

Progress Marion’s Articles of Incorporation contain standard language prohibiting the organization from participating in or intervening in political campaigns. Specifically, Article II, Section (b) states that the corporation “shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publication or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.” Despite this restriction, Tillman stated at the June 25 candidate forum that Progress Marion was formed specifically because the CEP does not endorse or rate candidates, and that the group intends to evaluate candidates on their merits. This creates tension between the organization’s formal legal documents, which bar political campaign intervention, and the public explanation offered by one of its representatives regarding the group’s purpose and activities.

Progress Marion maintains a formal presence with the Belleview Chamber & Economic Partnership, where it is listed in the member directory under “Strategic Growth,” with Robert Batsel listed as the primary contact. A Google search for “Progress Marion” currently directs users to the Belleview CEP listing. However, the organization does not appear in the Ocala Metro Chamber.