Freight Michigan State business school to host ‘Rails to the Future’ conference

Michigan State business school to host ‘Rails to the Future’ conference

By Trains Staff | January 29, 2026

Event featuring key industry officials set for May 11-13

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Man speaking at podium
Surface Transportation Board Chairman Patrick Fuchs is among the keynote speakers scheduled for the Rails to the Future conference in Troy, Mich., May 11-13. David Lassen

 

TROY, Mich. — Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business will host “Rails to the Future: 200 Year of Progress, Building What’s Next,” a conference featuring key rail industry officials May 11-13 at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy.

Logo of Michigan State University Broad College of BusinessKeynote speakers will include Federal Railroad Adminstration Administrator David Fink; Surface Transportation Board Chairman Patrick Fuchs; Association of American Railroads CEO Ian Jefferies; American Shortline and Regional Railroad Association President Chuck Baker, and Broad College of Business Dean David Souder.

The event will feature extended Q&A sessions, interactive panels, and open forums, providing participants the chance to directly engage with industry leaders.

Also scheduled to speak are former FRA Administrator Ron Batory, executive director of MSU’s Center for Railway Research and Education; Justin Broyles, CEO of R.J. Corman Railroad Group; Peter Gilbertson, CEO of Anacostia Rail Holdings; Clarence Gooden, retired CSX president; independent analyst Anthony B. Hatch; Lynn Kelley, retired senior vice president at Union Pacific; Wick Moorman, retired Norfolk Southern CEO; David Nahass, president, Railroad Financial Corp.; independent analyst Rick Paterson; Matt Rose, retired executive chairman, BNSF Railway; Jason Seidl, managing director, TD Cowen; Michael Stickel, CEO, Lake State Railway; and Beth Whited, retired president at Union Pacific.

Registration for the conference, as well as additional information, is available here. Registration is $1,050 per person, with a $150 early bird discount for registration by Feb. 28. Special pricing is available for groups of three or more as well as for students with a valid identification. Contact crre@broad.msu.edu for special pricing.

— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.

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