Keolis announced July 2, that Keolis America President and Chief Executive Officer Steve Townsend is retiring after a 43-year career spanning multiple industries including oil and gas, environmental services, facilities management and transportation.
Townsend joined Keolis in his current role in 2007. Under his leadership, Keolis has successfully expanded into the commuter rail and transit markets in the U.S., winning contracts to operate the Virginia Railway Express and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail system. He also oversaw the acquisition of Tectrans Inc., now Keolis Transit America.
“Steve Townsend has played a pivotal role in the success of Keolis in North America. On behalf of the entire Keolis team I want to thank him for his years of dedicated service and smart leadership which has helped us grow to become a major presence in passenger transportation in just a few short years,” said Eric Asselin, executive vice president and general manager of Keolis North America. “We will greatly miss Steve’s wisdom and wit, and we wish him and his wife Terri all the best as they enjoy a well-earned retirement.”
“It has been a privilege and an honor for me to have been a part of the development of Keolis in North America,” said Townsend. “I have the utmost faith in Eric Asselin and the North American team in their ability to continue Keolis’ growth, proving that there is a need for a company to provide the highest standards in customer service for passenger transportation in the U.S.”
