People News: Keolis North America, Bohr Electronics, SEPTA, IANA
Keolis North America
Passenger transportation services provider Keolis North America on Dec. 4 reported that David Scorey will step down as President and CEO effective Dec. 31, 2024, and Brad Thomas will assume the roles. Scorey will join the Keolis North America Board as a non-executive Director, advising the senior leadership team across the region, as well as the global leadership team in Paris, France. “After an extensive, and successful, career, this new role will provide David more time to spend with his family and to pursue personal passions,” the company said.
Keolis’s transit business in North America operates CapMetro’s bus service in Austin, Tex.; provides operations and maintenance management for more than 30 fixed-route, express, and circulator bus routes in Phoenix, Ariz.; runs Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s 14 commuter rail lines serving the Greater Boston region and Rhode Island; and operates Virginia Railway Express, a commuter rail line serving the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. The company also provides transit services in California, Florida, Nevada, Virginia, and Canada.
Scorey has served the public transportation industry for 42 years, beginning as a mechanical engineer and moving into various managerial positions. In 2016, he joined Keolis Commuter Services (KCS) as General Manager and oversaw ridership growth, expanded train service, modernized schedules, and improvements to reliability and performance. In 2021, Scorey was appointed to Regional CEO for the North America region. Since then, Keolis “has approximately doubled the size of its transit business, secured significant contract awards and renewals in both the U.S. and Canada, and negotiated historic contracts for organized employees,” the company reported.
“David has had an exceptional journey in our industry,” said Marie-Ange Debon, Chairwoman and CEO of Keolis Group. “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for his unwavering dedication in overseeing Keolis’ activities across the North American region over the years. His commitment has been exemplary, and I am delighted that he will continue contributing to our growth in this high-potential region as a non-executive Director. I am equally pleased to announce Brad Thomas as David’s successor … Brad’s extensive career and expertise underscore his capability to meet the challenges of public transport and steer operations with vision and efficiency. I wish him every success in his new role.”
Thomas will become Keolis North America President and CEO on Jan. 1, 2025. He joined Keolis earlier this year as President and Chief Operating Officer-U.S. Transit after serving as CEO and President of First Transit and First Vehicle Services. There, he oversaw revenue growth and expansion of the business to 300 contracts; extended the portfolio into Central America and India; and managed several acquisitions.
“Keolis’ reputation for building strong partnerships with its clients, delivering excellent service for passengers, and being an employer of choice across the region were all key drivers of my decision to join Keolis earlier this year,” Thomas said. “I could not be prouder to lead this organization at a time where public transportation is poised for significant growth in service levels, ridership, and an enhanced customer service experience. The growth ambitions we have coupled with an unmatched team truly positions Keolis for success across North America.”
In a related development, Keolis North America earlier this year appointed WSP Transit and Rail National Market Leader Jannet Walker-Ford as Board Chair, overseeing operation of the Executive Committee.
Bohr Electronics
Bohr Electronics has appointed Jess Carneiro as Outside Sales Manager, responsibile for “expanding Bohr Electronics’ presence in key rail markets and collaborating with customers to deliver reliable locomotive electronics solutions, including the company’s legacy repair services and CRM data management devices.” She has more than a decade of experience in the railroad industry, specializing in sales management, logistics and B2B partnerships. Carneiro served previously as Account Executive with Heartwood, a provider of virtual training technology for the rail industry.
“Jess’s deep industry knowledge and focus on customer relationships will help build on our legacy in in-cab rail electronics and advanced data management solutions,” said Bruce Bloomster, National Sales Manager at Bohr Electronics.
SEPTA
Scott Sauer has become Interim General Manager of SEPTA, following the Nov. 29 departure of Leslie S. Richards. A permanent successor is now under Board consideration, according to the transit agency, which reported Sauer’s appointment to the role in October when Richards announced she would be stepping down.
Sauer is a second-generation transit professional; his late father, Robert, served the Philadelphia Transportation Company and SEPTA for 30 years.
Sauer started his career at SEPTA in 1990 as a Surface Train Operator, and over the years rose through the ranks to Subway/Elevated Train Operator, Transportation Manager, and Safety Officer. In 2013, he was named Assistant General Manager of System Safety. He was promoted in 2017 to Assistant General Manager of Operations, overseeing Transportation, Control Center, Vehicle Maintenance, and Station Cleaning, and in 2022 to Chief Operating Officer, his most recent role, expanding his oversight to include the Engineering, Maintenance, and Construction Division; Transit Police; and Capital Programs.
Sauer has served on the Federal Transit Administration’s Transit Advisory Committee for Safety; the Transportation Research Board Committee on Transit Safety and Security; the Northeast Corridor Safety and Security Committee; and the Board of Directors for Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Since 2011, he has also been a faculty member in the USDOT TSI Associate Staff Program, teaching Transit Rail Incident Investigation and mentoring future transit professionals.
Sauer holds a master’s degree in environmental protection and safety management from St. Joseph’s University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix.
“I am honored to be entrusted with the stewardship of a transit system that is absolutely essential to the region’s success,” Sauer said. “My priority will be to commit this organization to a back-to-basics philosophy emphasizing the fundamentals that keep Greater Philadelphia moving each day: safety, customer service and reliability.”
Further Reading:
- SEPTA Reprieve, But for How Long?
- SEPTA Postpones Second of Two Fare Increases
- SEPTA Board Approves 7.5% Fare Hike
- SEPTA, TWU Reach Tentative Agreement
- SEPTA GM/CEO Stepping Down
- SEPTA Eyes Fare Adjustments to Address Deficit
- Fifth of a Series: SEPTA Hopes for Good News
- SEPTA Board OKs $2.6B Budget for FY2025
IANA
The IANA Board of Directors on Dec. 5 announced the election of its 2025 Officers, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Trevor Ash, CEO of CIE Manufacturing (formerly known as CIMC Intermodal Equipment), has been re-elected as Board Chair. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Ash has also worked for Top Lift Enterprises. Additionally, the Board elected Michael Burton, President of C&K Trucking, as Vice Chairman, and Maryclare Kenney, Vice President Intermodal and Automotive at CSX, as Treasurer.
“IANA is fortunate to be entering the new year with a team of strong advocates for the intermodal community in leadership positions,” said IANA President and CEO Joni Casey, who will retire and be succeeded by Anne Reinke at the end of this year.
Joining the 2025 Board for three-year terms are newly elected Directors Ronnie Armstrong of Ocean Network Express (North America) and Kari Kirchhoefer of Union Pacific, and re-elected members Christopher Brach of Radiant Road & Rail and Donna Lemm of IMC Logistics. They will serve alongside Ash, Burton, and Kenney and continuing Directors Shelli Austin of InTek Freight & Logistics, EJ Bronwasser from Milestone Equipment Holdings, Ryan Houfek from DCLI, Barbara Melvin from South Carolina Ports Authority, Garry Old from COFC Logistics, and Shawn Tureman from Norfolk Southern.
