Keolis in North America (Keolis) announced strategic enhancements to the regional executive leadership team with Fadi Chakbazof joining as the new president and COO for U.S. transit and Ryan Adams appointed to a newly created chief performance officer role. 

Both Adams and Chakbazof will report directly to Brad Thomas, regional president and CEO, and will sit on the Keolis North America executive committee. 

Driving Strategic Growth 

Chakbazof has a strong track record of driving strategic growth, improving customer service, and fostering a culture of trust and safety. His leadership will further strengthen the company’s growth trajectory.

He brings 25 years of industry experience, having held executive roles at MV Transportation, First Transit, and First Student. Chakbazof has overseen a $500 million operations portfolio, led more than 5,000 employees, and managed 60 contracts. 

Growing from Business Development 

Adams most recently served as the executive VP, market development and innovation, for Keolis in North America. 

During Adams’ leadership of the business development function, Keolis grew the size of the U.S. transit portfolio from $128.5 million in annual revenue to $560 million, a 336% increase. All this growth was organic. 

Adams has been with Keolis since 2013 and has held business development and operational leadership roles. He also implemented business intelligence systems designed to deliver actionable insights into the company’s operating performance and to facilitate continuous improvement in safety, maintenance, and operational efficiency. 

Additional Appointments

To continue the aggressive growth trajectory for Keolis in the U.S., the company also announced that Sandi Hill will assume a new role leading business development for U.S. transit, reporting to Chakbazof.

Hill’s extensive relationships and expertise in the U.S. market region is invaluable and her partnership with Chakbazof will deliver strategic value for new and potential clients as Keolis expands, according to the company. 

In addition, Keolis appointed Francis Julien into an expanded role providing strategic operational leadership to all contracts in Keolis’ U.S. transit portfolio as the VP, operations. This position will report to the president and COO for U.S. transit. 

Most recently, Julien served as the regional VP, eastern region. He has held several positions at Keolis including VP, commercial development; GM and regional VP, operations; and assistant director, operations. He also served as the deputy CEO for the RTC of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas.