Nationally recognized transit executive to chair board of directors and help Keolis deliver strong leadership, operational excellence, safe passenger journeys, client relationships, and growth across the region

BOSTON – May 1, 2024 – Keolis North America (Keolis) today announced the appointment of national rail and transit leader Jannet Walker-Ford to its corporate board as chairperson. In this position, Walker-Ford leads the board and supports CEO David Scorey as Keolis continues to grow and serve its partners, passengers, and employees.

As Chair, Walker-Ford will provide strategic counsel to the CEO and board. The Keolis North America Executive Committee is led by David Scorey and the leadership team consists of: Ryan Adams, EVP of Market Development and Innovation; Robert Anderson, EVP of HR and Safety; Abdellah Chajai, Keolis Commuter Services General Manager and CEO; Karine LaSalle, Keolis Canada Acting CEO; Stephan Oehler, Chief Financial Officer; Brad Thomas, US Transit President and COO; Alex Wu, Chief Information Officer, and Maria Natale Acting General Counsel. Under Walker-Ford’s guidance, this corporate board will continue to build on Keolis’ recent growth and implement strategies for continuous business improvement.

“I’m thrilled and honored to join Keolis as chair during such an important moment for public transportation and during a time of significant growth for Keolis in the North American market,” said Walker-Ford. “I am honored by the confidence David and the executive committee have placed in me and look forward to working with them both to further Keolis’ positions as the partner and employer of choice in transit.”

“I am so pleased that Jannet has joined Keolis as chair,” said David Scorey, Keolis president and CEO. “Jannet is a highly respected figure in the public transportation industry, and her leadership, vision, and experience will lead to ever improving outcomes for our partners, the passengers we serve, and our own people. With a strong corporate governance structure in place, Keolis is well-positioned to continue growth in the North American market.”

Jannet Walker-Ford is a nationally recognized transportation industry executive with WSP USA, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, where she leads the firm’s transit and rail business. Walker-Ford has more than two decades of diverse expertise including management consulting, technology, mobility, and transportation systems. With a focus on equity, sustainability and community building she has served in executive leadership and strategic advisor roles on ground-breaking programs and projects for large transit and transportation agencies across the U.S. Previously, she worked with national consultancy firms and has served as the Deputy General Manager/Deputy CEO and CIO at the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority.

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ABOUT JANNET WALKER-FORD

Jannet Walker-Ford serves as senior vice president & national transit and rail business leader for WSP USA, responsible for leading and growing the firm’s business in national transit and rail markets including the national practices for freight delivery, passenger rail, systems, technical project delivery, bus rapid transit and zero emissions. At every opportunity, Jannet leads with gratitude – continually recognizing her team, clients and industry partners for their contributions and accomplishments.

Recognized by Railway Age as a 2023 Woman-in-Rail, she serves on multiple international and national boards including the current Chair of WTS International, the APTA Executive Committee, ENO Center for Transportation, Jacksonville University Board of Trustees and the NFI Corporate Board. She has received numerous awards recognizing her success and advocacy, including the 2022 American Public Transportation Association’s Business Member of the Year; 2021 WTS Northeast Florida Woman of the Year; 2019 Women of Color STEM Technology All-Star Award; and a 2019 Conference of Minority Transportation Officials’ Women Who Move the Nation honoree.

Walker-Ford is married to transportation industry visionary, Nathaniel P. Ford, CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.