Lake State Names New Top Leader

Michigan-based regional railroad Lake State Railway has named Mike Stickel as its next president and CEO.

He will replace John Rickoff, who will become chairman of the board of directors, on July 15.

Stickel is currently the railroad’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

That role will be filled by Mark Rosner while executive vice president and chief financial officer Kevin Mitrzyk will assume an expanded role as chief administrative officer, adding human resources and government affairs functions.

Stickel joined Lake State in 2013 from Watco, where he was a regional marketing vice president. He had previously held positions with the Indiana Rail Road and equipment leasing companies including Helm Financial. and CIT Group.

Rosner comes to Lake State from Carload Express Inc., where he was president and CEO. Mitrzyk joined Lake State as an accountant in February 1993, and was promoted to controller in November of that year. He became chief financial officer in 2003 and was promoted to executive vice president in 2018.

Rickoff has served as Lake State’s CEO since 2010. His railroading career includes time with Chicago & North Western, Soo Line, Canadian Pacific, and the Indiana Rail Road.

Tags: Lake State Railway, Michigan regional railroads, Mike Stickel, railroad executives