first selectman

Carl P. Fortuna, Jr. is in his sixth term as the Republican First Selectman in Old Saybrook, CT. Born in Middletown, CT, Mr. Fortuna graduated from Boston College in 1985 and Fordham University School of Law in 1988. After working in New York City for five years, Mr. Fortuna moved to Old Saybrook in 1994 and soon thereafter became a principal in the six-attorney Middletown law firm of Fortuna & Cartelli, PC, a firm started by his father in 1954.

 

Carl practiced in the areas of real estate, criminal law and general litigation. He is currently admitted to practice in the Connecticut state courts and the Federal District Court for the District of Connecticut. From 2000-2006, he served as vice-chair of the Statewide Grievance Committee conducting evidentiary hearings on ethics complaints. He became involved with Old Saybrook’s government in 1999, first serving on the town’s Water Pollution Control Authority and then as chairman of the town’s Board of Finance from 2001-2011. Encouraged to run for the open seat in the First Selectman’s Office, Mr. Fortuna was elected First Selectman in 2011 and was re-elected in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021.

 

He has been a leader on environmental issues (preserving 1,000 acres in town), economic sustainability, housing, and state and local financial issues. In addition to his full-time efforts with the town, Carl serves on the board of directors for multiple organizations including: Materials Innovation Recycling Authority (MIRA), a public subdivision of the state which has control over the state’s solid waste disposal and recycling practices and facilities; Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, the leading legislative advocate for Connecticut’s towns and cities; Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Association (CIRMA), the casualty and workers’ compensation insurer for most Connecticut towns where he chairs their Investment Subcommittee and serves on their Operations and Underwriting Subcommittee; and the Council of Small Towns (COST).

 

He also serves as the treasurer for the Lower Connecticut River Valley Council of Governments. Carl is an active runner and cyclist and enjoys golfing at Black Hall Club in Old Lyme, CT.