Chris Fortune

Founder & CEO of Saris Cycling Group (retired)

Chris Fortune founded Saris Cycling Group in Madison, Wisconsin and served as CEO for 35 years. Chris grew the company into a multi-faceted organization manufacturing locally and distributing a wide array of products used by cyclists for pleasure and training to over 70 countries. Chris founded the Saris Bike Parks for Kids Foundation in 2020, dedicated to giving underserved youth a safe and energizing place to ride their bike! Chris has also served on the board of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and helped fund their organization by raising over 1M through the annual Saris Gala event. He served as chair of the Governor’s Bicycle Coordinating Council for over 10 years and on the board for Dreambikes, a non-profit, used bicycle store which provides young people work experience as they refurbish used bicycles and re-cycle them into the community. Chris was President of the National organization People for Bikes and also dedicated to World Bicycle Relief raising money for over a thousand buffalo bikes. He traveled to Zambia to work with communities transformed by the donation of these life changing bikes. Chris also served on the national board for the Boys & Girls Club of America and is currently on the board for the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. Chris has sat on many additional boards including Pizza Hut of Southern Wisconsin, Lucigen, and the Edgewood College Board of Trustees.