About Sonya Locke
CEO of EDS Service Solutions, Founder of Workforce-Velocity, Board Advisor & EY Entrepreneur of the Year Winner.
Sonya Locke is a leader in mobility, logistics, and workforce management. As CEO of EDS Service Solutions and Founder of Workforce-Velocity, she drives innovation and operational excellence. She also advises companies in aviation, transportation, and hospitality, helping them scale and optimize workforce solutions.
A People-First Visionary in Workforce Solutions
Sonya Locke is a transformational leader who believes that people, culture, and innovation are the foundation of sustainable business success. As the Founder and CEO of EDS Service Solutions, she has built one of the nation’s leading outsourced labor and workforce management firms, currently serving over 7,000 employees across 130 locations, including all of the top 30 U.S. airports. Her leadership is rooted in a people-first approach, where empowering employees, fostering collaboration, and driving operational excellence go hand in hand.
With over 28 years in human capital management, Sonya has mastered the art of balancing human relations with data-driven efficiency. Her proprietary workforce management software, Workforce Velocity™, has redefined how businesses optimize labor, blending predictive scheduling, real-time service flow, and seamless cross-functional collaboration. “Technology should enhance human potential, not replace it,” Sonya says. “At EDS, we build teams that are empowered, engaged, and equipped to drive growth.”
Sonya’s journey in workforce solutions began at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where she played a pivotal role in staffing large-scale transportation operations. She later pioneered transaction-based pricing and business process outsourcing at Stryden, setting new standards for staffing efficiency in car rental and hospitality markets. Her expertise has been sought by industry giants like Amazon, Walmart, Audi, and VW Group of America, shaping innovative workforce solutions that fuel business transformation.
Sonya’s leadership at EDS has driven exponential growth, earning recognition as a 2023 EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Southeast Winner), an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company, and an ACG Georgia Fast 40 Winner. But beyond the accolades, her true impact lies in the culture she has built. One where employees are valued, diversity is celebrated, and career growth is a priority.
“We don’t just provide staffing solutions; we create environments where people thrive,” Sonya emphasizes. “Our recruiters take a deeply human approach, because when you invest in people, success follows naturally.”
Sonya’s vision for the future is clear: to continue scaling EDS while staying true to the values of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity. With a relentless focus on people, partnerships, and progress, she is redefining workforce management and setting a new standard for sustainable growth in the industry.