The 2022 Michigan Rail Conference marked a special milestone as we celebrated our 10th Anniversary in Escanaba, Michigan, hosted at Bay College from August 1–3. We cannot imagine a more suitable theme to our conference than Pivot for Growth: Supply Chain and Mobility.
While it seems that we’re finally shaking off the major disruptions caused by the pandemic, the supply chain woes (as well as rail transportation challenges) have only increased and general mobility is facing new challenges, as people return to offices, fuel prices increase, etc. Rail transportation will continue to play a major part in these developments, but how it responds to the changing economic, political, and societal landscape remains to be seen.
We hope that the combination of our speaker presentations, panel discussions, and conversations among our colleagues will allow all of use to leave Escanaba with a bit more understanding on today’s rail transportation issues and how we ensure that the industry is ready for the challenge in Michigan and beyond.
As we looked back on a decade of progress and looked forward to what’s ahead, the 10th Annual Michigan Rail Conference stood as a testament to the strength and resilience of the rail community.
Pivot for Growth: Supply Chain and Mobility
August 1-3, 2022
Bay College, Escanaba, MI
Schedule
| Day | Event | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Aug 1, 2022 | Student Scholarship Golf Outing Team Check-in | 10:30 a.m. | Terrace Bluff Golf Club |
| Mon, Aug 1, 2022 | Golfing Start (tee times with scramble format, lunch on the turn) | 11 a.m. | Terrace Bluff Golf Club |
| Mon, Aug 1, 2022 | Welcome and Opening Reception | 6 - 8 p.m. | Terrace Bluff Golf Club |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Registration and Breakfast | 7:15 - 8 a.m. | Besse Theatre N. Gallery |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Welcome and Safety Briefing, Pasi Lautala (MTU) and Nick Little (MSU) | 8 - 8:15 a.m. | Besse Auditorium |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Conference Opening, Moderator Pasi Lautala with Kirk Steudle (Econolite) and Peter Schwartz (FRA) | 8:15 - 9:30 a.m. | Besse Auditorium |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Break | 9:30 - 10 a.m. | Besse Theatre N. Gallery |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Plenary Panel - Michigan Updates, Moderator Nikkie Johnson (MDOT) with Peter Anator (MDOT), Rick Harnish (High Speed Rail Alliance), and Brian Buchanan (Watco) | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | Besse Auditorium |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Lunch and Keynote Presentation: Jennifer Mitchell | 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Cafeteria and Besse Auditorium |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Breakout Session #1A - Performance Standards for Sharded Use Corridors, Moderator Libby Ogard (Prime Focus, LLC) with Thomas Fryer (Alberta Regional Rail), Dan Schulte (Quandel), Lizabeth Brubeck (Amtrak) , and Herb Smith (Norfolk Southern) | 1 - 2:15 p.m. | Besse Auditorium |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Breakout Session #1B - Round Table: Lessons Learned from PTC, Moderator Rob Goodheart (Pathfinder) with John Rickoff (Lake State Railway), Chris Jagodzinski (Amtrak), and Bob Whitlock (The Belt Railway) | 1 - 2:15 p.m. | Conference Room |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Break | 2:15 - 2:45 p.m. | Besse Theatre N. Gallery |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Breakout Session #2A - Supply Chains: Why Rail is Critical, Moderator Nick Little (MSU) with Stacey Lyons (CN), Jim Pang (Trinity), Ward Forquer (MPSC), and Peter Wolff (TTX) | 2:45 - 4 p.m. | Besse Auditorium |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Breakout Session #2B - Funding Opportunities, Moderator Sean Pengelly (Lake State Railway) with Nikkie Johnson (MDOT), Mike Hnatiuk (Western Michigan Railroad), Pasi Lautala (MTU), and Tim Hoeffner (Quandel) | 2:45 - 4 p.m. | Conference Room |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Conference Wrap-up | 4 - 4:30 p.m. | Besse Auditorium |
| Tue, Aug 2, 2022 | Closing Reception | 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | Besse Theatre N. Gallery |
| Wed, Aug 3, 2022 | Field Visits, Buses leave at 9 a.m. | 8:45 a.m. - 12 noon | Front Entrance Besse Center |
Keynote Speaker
Jennifer Mitchell
Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Jennifer Mitchell is the deputy administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), where she leads agency operations and policy, including rail safety and development initiatives. She plays a key role in implementing the FRA’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provisions, launching new funding programs and advancing railroad projects. Previously, she served eight years as director of Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation, where she led the Transforming Rail in Virginia program and advanced plans for a new Long Bridge across the Potomac River.
Sponsors
The success of the 2022 conference was made possible through the generous support of 21 sponsors, whose commitment to rail education and infrastructure development helped foster meaningful conversations and connections. Their contributions ensured a high-quality program that balanced technical insights with networking and hands-on learning opportunities.
Diamond Level Sponsors ($1500+)
- 2- free registrations
- 1- full page ad in sponsor brochure
- 1st tier logo recognition on all pre-con marketing, program, onsite signage & screen savers
- Company name and contact information listed in attendee listing
- Recognition by conference chair(s) during Welcome and Lunch Keynote Session
- Included in Email blast to all registrants announcing sponsors who made it possible: Company name with link to website and 50-word description of company.
Platinum Level Sponsors ($1000 - $1499)
- 1- free registration
- 1- half page ad in sponsor brochure
- 2nd tier logo recognition on all pre-con marketing, program, onsite signage & screen savers
- Company name and contact information listed in attendee listing
- Recognition by conference chair(s) during AM Plenary Session
- Included in Email blast to all registrants announcing sponsors who made it possible: Company name with link to website and 50-word description of company.
Gold Level Sponsors ($500 - $999)
- 1- quarter page ad in sponsor brochure
- 3rd tier logo recognition on all pre-con marketing, program, onsite signage & screen savers
- Company name and contact information listed in attendee listing
- Included in Email blast to all registrants announcing sponsors who made it possible: Company name with link to website and 50-word description of company.
Silver Level Sponsors ($250 - $499)
- Company name/logo listed in sponsor brochure
- Bottom tier logo recognition on all pre-con marketing, program, onsite signage & screen savers
- Company name and contact information listed in attendee listing
- Included in Email blast to all registrants announcing sponsors who made it possible: Company name with link to website and 50-word description of company.
Thank You
We successfully completed another outstanding conference! This year saw 115 participants between our live conference in Escanaba and our virtual option! A big thankyou to our 21 conference sponsors! Without you this event would not be possible. And another thankyou to our conference planning committee, who helped pull together the content for the program. And finally, a thankyou to all who participated in the conference. You are the reason we try to pull this event together each year.
Conference Planning Committee
Stacey Lyons - CN Railroad; Shasta Duffey & Mike Hnatiuk – Lake State Railway Company; Michael Gaynor - GoRail; Nikkie Johnson – Michigan DOT; Jon Cool – Michigan Railroads Association; Nick Little – Michigan State University; Amanda (Kerttu) Codere, Pasi Lautala, and David Nelson – Michigan Tech; Kay Chase - Michigan Assoc. of Railroad Passengers; Tim Hoeffner – Quandel Consultants; Robert Goodheart – Pathfinder Engineering; Peter Schierloh – SW Bridge Engineers; Ken Westcar – Transport Action Ontario, Mark Miller & Robert Pokorski