Agreement promotes career opportunities for veterans and strengthens transit industry talent pipeline 

BOSTON – March 21, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Army and Keolis North America (Keolis) signed a partnership agreement as part of the U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program, which guarantees soldiers job interviews and possible employment after their service in the Army. By signing this agreement, Keolis advances its goals of employing the best people in transit and strengthening the industry’s talent pipeline.

The signing ceremony featured a color guard presentation, and remarks from the Virginia National Guard's Lieutenant Colonel Kim Wynn, PRTC Board Chair and Neabsco District Supervisor Victor Angry, and Keolis North America President and CEO David Scorey.  

“The Virginia Army National Guard is honored to be a part of The Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) Program. This is an opportunity our Soldiers cannot afford to pass up. As Soldiers transition from active service, or as our Guard Soldiers seek career opportunities concurrent with their service, the PaYS program allows them to enter the civilian work force with greater confidence with guaranteed interviews,” said Kim Wynn, Virginia Army National Guard. “This program allows Soldiers to get their feet in the door and start the process of life after the military, or while serving as a member of the National Guard. Sometimes the hardest part of employment is not having the opportunity to interview, and PaYS has eliminated that obstacle for Soldiers. This is a perfect opportunity and partnership for our Soldiers and the Virginia Army National Guard.” 

“We are so delighted at entering into this partnership today, which will provide those that have served our country with an opportunity to secure a place in the transit industry as they transition out of the service,” said David Scorey, Keolis President and CEO. “At Keolis we strive to create an environment where every employee can be their best selves and we know that veterans come with multiple skills, a dedication to service and a strong ethical standard. We’ll be proud to welcome them to our workforce.”

Later this year, Keolis team members with military backgrounds will benefit from a new veteran employee resource group that will be sponsored by an experienced member of the leadership team and Army veteran. These groups work to catalyze connections between employees, promote external impact, and further Keolis’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

In northern Virginia, Keolis is the operating partner for safe and reliable transit services with the Virginia Railway Express (VRE), OmniRide, and Loudoun County Transit. Keolis employes more than 500 people in Northern Virginia. 

The PaYS program is designed to help soldiers prepare for a career after the Army by connecting them with employers who understand the skills, discipline and work ethic that military service members bring to a business. The program is a strategic partnership between the Army and a cross section of private industry, academia and state and local public institutes and provides America’s youth with the unique opportunity to simultaneously serve their country and prepare for their future. 

This program is part of a long-term U.S. Army effort to help soldiers forge professional relationships with businesses and encourage business owners to look to the Army as a plentiful and reliable recruiting source. Since PaYS began in 2000, more than 1,000 employers have partnered with the program.