Co-Chair

John Forzani was born and raised in Calgary and is a graduate of St. Francis High School. After obtaining his business degree from Utah State University, Forzani returned to Calgary and played professional football as an offensive guard with the Calgary Stampeders for seven years.

Forzani is founder and was chairman of the board of The Forzani Group Ltd. (FGL), Canada’s largest and only national sporting goods retailer with over 558 corporate and franchise stores representing approximately six million square feet of retail space and annual system sales exceeding id="mce_marker".5 billion. The company was sold to Canadian Tire in August of 2011.

Forzani has always held a strong belief in giving back to the community and has involved FGL in supporting philanthropic causes in a wide-range of programs across the country. Over the years, FGL has raised millions for charitable causes. The Forzani Mother’s Day Run and Walk (runs are organized in five cities across the country) began in Calgary 35 years ago to raise funds for health programs, equipment and charities. In 2000, he formed The Forzani Foundation, whose mandate is to promote physical fitness, health and wellness. This year, with the Calgary Stampeders, FGL Foundation will host its seventh annual golf tournament, which has raised $250,000 for amateur football in Southern Alberta.