Gabe Klein Email Address

Co-Founder

Fontinalis Partners, with offices in Detroit and Boston, is a venture capital firm strategically focused on next generation mobility. The firm was founded in 2009 by Bill Ford, Ralph Booth, Mark Schulz, Chris Cheever and Chris Thomas. Fontinalis' mission is to leverage the team's considerable management experience, market access, strategic relationships, international expertise, and background in transportation innovation to scale companies providing next-generation mobility solutions.

In 2015, in addition to his other roles, Gabe has recently joined Fontinalis Partners as an SVP (Special Venture Partner) on their new fund. Gabe continues to advise a number of technology/transportation startups, including Bridj where he provides leadership on strategy. Also in 2015 a book is on the horizon.In 2014, Gabe had a 6 month Fellowship at The Urban Land Institute. He also has been advising numerous technology and transportation start-ups in 2014/15 including RideScout which was recently acquired by Daimler. Gabe was also honored to join the boards of NACTO, and Streetsblog.In 2011 Gabe joined Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration to run the Chicago Department of Transportation. While at CDOT, Gabe and his management team transformed the agency into a national model for innovation in transportation & tech. Publishing six groundbreaking plans for Chicago, putting Complete Streets into practice, reinventing the Riverwalk and Bloomingdale Trail and launching Divvy bikeshare, CDOT revolutionized how Chicagoans navigate their neighborhoodsGabe was Director of The District Department of Transportation, appointed by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty in 2008 and serving until the end of Fenty’s term. Mayor Fenty desired a forward-thinking executive with private sector experience to innovate, operate, & streamline the $1 billion agency. DDOT set national standards for everything from next-gen parking, to the Nations 1st, and largest bikesharing program, Capital Bikeshare. Gabe was a Co-Founder of On The Fly, the first multi-unit food truck company in the U.S. SmartKarts complemented smart growth, bringing high quality natural food to residents, workers & visitors in densely trafficked areas, typically near transit.From 2002 to 2006, Klein demonstrated his commitment to reducing America’s carbon footprint as a Vice President of Zipcar where he helped pioneer the concept of car sharing in the United States and grow Zipcar membership by 10-fold.Specialties: Operations management, technology solutions, marketing and business development, branding and identity, brick and mortar retail operations and planning, management consulting, internet/retail strategy and operations, start-up planning and execution, government relations