Accomplished public transportation leader Erika Mazza joins Keolis in North America

Erika Mazza has been appointed by Keolis to be the new vice president of Keolis operations for the western region of North America.

Mazza brings more than two decades of planning and operational management experience with an emphasis on economic development, urban planning, affordable housing and transit to this role, where she will be responsible for leading the company’s operations across various modes in western North America.

Mazza is the most recent addition in a series of experienced hires by Keolis, as the company continues to focus on its expansion in North America. Prior to joining Keolis, she served as Mountain Line’s CEO and general manager, overseeing all aspects of the transit agency in Flagstaff, Ariz. She led and directed all business activities to ensure the organization provided safe, on-time service and oversaw 125 employees and a total transit budget of $43 million. She previously served as Mountain Line’s deputy general manager. A few of her successes during her tenure include facilitating nearly 100 percent ridership growth; reducing accident frequency to 0.003 percent per mile; and lowering employee turnover from 15 percent to 2.5 percent, in addition to a current zero percent vacancy in open positions.

“Erika’s track record in safety, creating partnerships, increasing ridership and fostering a dynamic organizational culture, as well as her unique experience in the regulatory landscape of public transportation, make her the ideal fit for this role,” said Keolis President and CEO of U.S. Bus Operations Aline Frantzen. “Erika’s skill set, expertise and 'passenger first' mindset will be instrumental as we continue to build a team to expand the role of public transportation nationwide to create more livable and sustainable cities.”

Mazza also serves on the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Board of Directors and the Transit Cooperative Research Program’s Oversight and Project Selection Committee. She is a graduate of APTA's Leadership Program and serves as vice chair for the Legislative Committee. Erika is active in her local community, where she serves on the Northern Arizona Leadership Alliance and the Downtown Business Alliance Board of Directors. Prior to joining Mountain Line in 2011, Mazza was the Human Services Planning Director in Boulder, Colo., where she led efforts to enhance mobility opportunities for low-income households.

“I am thrilled to be joining an organization with such an impressive global track record and forward-thinking aspirations,” said Mazza. “I look forward to working with our partners, cities, community organizations and agencies to help evolve their business models, develop new modes of transportation and most importantly, respond to their riders’ and non-riders’ demands and expectations.”

This role will report directly to Frantzen and will include oversight of all facets of Keolis’ operations in western North America, including safety, operational excellence and customer satisfaction, economic performance, staffing and managerial leadership, corporate social responsibility and partnerships.

“Keolis’ vision is to fast track transportation innovation and equip North American cities with evolving mobility choices,” said President and CEO of Keolis in North America Clement Michel. “Erika’s background and experience ticks all the boxes, and there is no doubt she will be a key asset in making our vision a reality and deliver on the promise that all communities should have access to high quality, equitable and sustainable transit systems.”