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<center>[[File:OTNA_Logo_planning.png|center|frameless|654x654px]]</center>
<h1> About OnTrackNorthAmerica (OTNA) </h1>
[[File:Michaelsussman.jpg|thumb|alt=Michael Sussman|Michael Sussman]]
'''OTNA''' was founded by '''Michael Sussman''' in 2007 as a nonprofit 501c3 industrial policy institute co-leading society in redesigning industrial systems to support sustainable life. Michael Sussman began his career in transportation in 1994 by launching [https://strategicrail.com Strategic Rail Finance], a trusted advisory firm, and has since advised on infrastructure-related projects, companies, and systems for private and public sector clients in forty-three U.S. states and four Canadian provinces.


<b>The OnTrackNorthAmerica </b><b>
</b><b>Promise, </b><b>Principles</b><b>, </b><b>Ethics, </b><b>and </b><b>Sustainability </b><b>Commitment</b></br>


<i><b>Promise Statement</b></i><i><b> and You</b></i><i><b>r </b></i><i><b>Invi</b></i><i><b>tation </b></i><i><b>to the Team</b></i><i><b>
</b></i>OnTrackNorthAmerica promises to co-lead society in redesigning its industrial systems to support sustainable life for all. You are invited to the team.  </br>


<b>
At OTNA, we value objectivity, non-partisanship, and autonomy from any financial, political, or personal interests. We are committed to industrial systems that are financially profitable and sustainable.</br></br>
</b><i><b>Principles for Collaboration</b></i></br>
<b>OTNA has developed state and regional plans, tools, </b><b>analyses</b><b>, and paradigms support</b><b>ing</b><b> these </b><b>values</b><b>.  </b>
* In 2023, OTNA led a four-county stakeholder process in New Mexico in the aftermath of a 350,000-acre forest fire resulting in the [[New Mexico Sustainable Forestry Business Plan|New Mexico Forestry Business Plan]].
* In 2021, OTNA convened hundreds of transportation stakeholders to create [[Nevada’s 2021 State Rail Plan]], a new whole-systems paradigm for statewide rail-enabled economic development.
* On December 11, 2008, OTNA [[:File:Resolution-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|gathered industry and government leaders in the U.S. Capitol Building]] to set a new collaborative framework for freight rail transportation efficiency.
* On December 8, 1998, OTNA convened [[:File:1998-Invitation-US-Congressional-Briefing-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|a rail transportation educational event in the U.S. Capitol Building]] for 55 congressional staff.


<b>Lead from Community</b><b>
</b>When co-leadership with the community is working, leaders do what it takes to be trusted to advance the greatest good. Initiatives succeed when strong leadership stands for results and represents the community’s best interests.</br>


<b>Assume Responsibility </b></br>
<b>OnTrackNorthAmerica Frequently Collaborates with Partners in Academia </b><!-- This Paragraph doesn't have corresponding links -->


We are called to be responsible for the quality of our relationships. We focus on sharing the best in ourselves while recognizing the perspectives and strengths of others.<b> </b>In each conversation, we relate in ways that advance mutual learning and progress.</br>
* Dr. Barbara Gray, founder of Penn State University’s Center for Research in Conflict and Negotiation, has contributed significantly to OTNA’s work.
* The University of Tennessee’s [https://isse.utk.edu/ Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment] provided research assistance for OTNA’s Land Freight Lifecycle Impact Calculator.
* Philadelphia’s Temple University hosted Michael’s talk, [[How Collaboration, Trust, and Railroads Will Save the World|“How Collaboration, Trust, and Railroads Will Save the World,”]] on December 5th, 2023.
* The Transportation Research Forum honored Michael with its 2024 annual [https://trforum.org/presidents-award/ President’s Award].
* Michael serves on the Industry Advisory Board of the six-university consortium, [https://fersc.utk.edu/ Center for Freight Transportation and Efficient & Resilient Supply Chains]  


<b>Thrive at Our Learning Edge</b><b>
</b>Producing the results we stand for requires us to work at our learning edge. Change outside requires some change inside. What we are doing is unprecedented, and we’re constantly being trained. Bring it on! </br>


<b>Engage in Integrative </b><b>Dialogue</b><b> </b><b>
<b>He has contributed </b><b>to </b><b>improving public policy by meeting with s</b><b>taff or leaders of 6</b><b>9</b> <b>U.S. Senate and 1</b><b>9</b><b>5</b><b> U.S. House offices</b><b>. </b>
</b>Integrative dialogue transcends conventional debate, where either/or and right/wrong interactions marginalize many valuable perspectives. Especially when seemingly opposing points of view are expressed, we work together to synergize new understandings. </br>


<b>Articulate Questions</b><b>
* In March of 2011, Michael was the only private sector invitee to a [:File:2011-Invitation-US-Congress-Rail-Workshop-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf U.S. House Railroad Subcommittee Staff Workshop] to explore ways to improve the FRA RRIF loan program.
</b>Writing and speaking in questions spark new thinking and ideas, while statements tend to express concerns as if they are intractable. Asking questions has the power to lead to results.</br>
* On February 17, 2011, [[:File:2011-Testimony-US-Congressional-Hearing-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|he testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Railroad Subcommittee]] on reforms to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program.
* On October 19, 2005, [[:File:2005-Testimony-Surface-Transportation-Board-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|he spoke before the Surface Transportation Board]] on the 25th anniversary of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980.


<b>Gather all</b><b> </b><b>Perspective</b><b>s</b><b>
</b>It’s commonly believed that including all stakeholders makes progress more challenging. In fact, inviting all experiences, concerns, and ideas leads to imaginative, intelligent, elegant results. When it comes to collective intelligence, more is truly the merrier.</br>


<b>Celebrate and Energize</b><b>
<b>Representative acknowledgments of these efforts:</b>
</b>Leaning into positivity is vitally important to any concerted effort. We value each other’s participation and communicate our appreciation. </br>


</br>
* Thank you letters from [[:File:Thank-You-Letter-US-Rep-Wolf-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|Republican House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf]] and [https://work.ontracknorthamerica.org/images/3/3e/Thank-You-Letter-US-Sen-Rockefeller-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller’s Chief of Staff].
* In 2003, he contributed to Washington State produce shippers by designing and writing important elements of the [[:File:2003-Reference-Letter-2-WSDOT-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|Washington State Produce Railcar Pool Act]] as passed by the 2003 state legislature.
* In 1999, he worked with the Federal Railroad Administration to eliminate audited financial statement requirements for Class II and III railroads from the [[:File:OMB-Caused-the-Delay-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing Act (RRIF loan program)]].
* In November of 1997 he was responsible for making freight rail projects eligible in [[:File:OnTrackNorthAmerica-105v106.pdf|H.R.115 – the National Infrastructure Development Act]].


<b>Be Accountable</b><b>
</b>There is power in clarity. When we make a promise, include a completion time. Then, complete it on time or give a heads-up to the team and commit to a new time. When we first make an agreement, we may face barriers to accomplishing the new task. These challenges are a function of our commitment, not our lack of commitment. Stay in the game.</br>


<b>Embrace Knowledge Sharing </b><b>
<b>Michael‘s writing has been published in many transportation industry journals:</b>
</b>Share rather than withhold information, ideas, and wisdom to create a world that works for all. Sharing accelerates productivity. It is time to scale up our collective intelligence.</br>


<b>S</b><b>tep into IntelliSynthesis</b><SUP><b>®</b></SUP><b>
* [[:File:December_2014_Railway_Age_Perspective.pdf|Railway Age, December 2014, “Revitalizing Direct Rail Service”]]
</b>IntelliSynthesis® is the logic and intelligence all around us but so often hidden from view by posturing, positioning, and politicizing. When we engage with others in the community’s best interest, collective intelligence naturally moves us toward solutions that work for everyone.</br>
* [[:File:A-RRIF-Centered-Capitalization-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|Railway Age, April 2011, “A RRIF-Centered Capitalization Growth Strategy”]]
* [[:File:Leveraging-Capital-for-the-Entire-Industry-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|Railway Age, September 2008, “Leveraging Capital for the Entire Industry”]]
* [[:File:Regional-and-Short-Line-RRs-in-the-US-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|Transportation Quarterly, Fall 2002, “Regional and Short Line Railroads in the United States”]]
* [[:File:Assessing-the-Process-of-Creating-the-RRIF-Program-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|Association of Transportation Law, Logistics & Policy, Fall 2000, “Assessing the Process of Creating the RRIF Program”]]
* [[:File:Getting-a-Lenders-Attention-OnTrackNorthAmerica.pdf|Progressive Railroading, June 1998, “Getting a Lender’s Attention”]]
==== <i><b><u>Board of Trustees</u></b></i> ====
<big>''Michael Sussman''</big>


<b>
Chairman, OnTrackNorthAmerica and Chairman & CEO, Strategic Rail Finance</br>
</b><i><b>Code of Ethics</b></i></br>


<b>Objectivity</b>
<big>''Eugene N. (“Gene”) Cipriani''</big>
OnTrackNorthAmerica does not accept financial sponsorships that require prioritization of individual business agendas over shared interests.</br>


<b>Inclusivity</b>
Attorney; former advisor to the United States Railway Association (U.S.R.A.); former in-house corporate counsel for Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)</br>
OnTrackNorthAmerica invites representation from all involved stakeholder groups and facilitates “level playing field” dialogues wherein all participants’ perspectives are appreciated. Inclusivity is fundamental to our planning approach, and we welcome all regions and projects of any size.</br>


<b>Nonpartisanship</b>
<big>''Daniel R. Elliott''</big>
OnTrackNorthAmerica maintains the autonomy of a politically non-partisan entity.</br>


<b>Coordination and Collaboration</b>
Transportation Attorney, Former Chairman of U.S. Surface Transportation Board</br>
OnTrackNorthAmerica advances the thoughtful integration of collaboration with helpful competition.</br>


<b>Whole System Attention</b>
<big>''R. Powell Felix''</big>
OnTrackNorthAmerica embraces programs, policies, and planning that advance system-wide benefits.</br>


<b>Multimodalism</b>
Founder, Indiana Boxcar Corporation</br>
OnTrackNorthAmerica supports the utilization of all transport modes within a sound multimodal system.</br>


<b>
<big>''Jim Hoecker''</big>
</b><i><b>Sustainability Commitment</b></i></br>


<b>Return-on-</b><b>I</b><b>nvestment</b></br>
Founder, Hoecker Energy Law & Policy PLLC, former Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


We believe that the return-on-investment analysis of economic development should account for all environmental and community impacts.</br>
<big>''Arthur Menko''</big>


<b>Acknowledging </b><b>U</b><b>navoidable </b><b>E</b><b>lements</b></br>
Founder and President of Telcodata and Business Planning, Inc


We acknowledge that some projects generate a degree of negative impact, which may be unavoidable in realizing a net positive contribution.</br>
<big>''J. Vann Cunningham''</big>


</br>
Assistant Vice President, Economic Development, at BNSF Railway – Retired; Fellow Member, International Economic Development Council; Former TVA Chief of Regional Planning; Former Practice Principal in economic development and site selection, Lockwood Green Consulting<br>


<b>Transition from </b><b>F</b><b>ossil </b><b>F</b><b>uels</b></br>
==== <i><b><u>Advisory Board</u> </b></i> ====
<big>''Daniel Burgess''</big>  


We support investments in projects that enable the transition from fossil fuels, petrochemicals, and overuse of water while acknowledging the pragmatic challenges on the journey to a cleaner economy. We guide our clients and communities to align their planning and investment horizons with the rapid evolution of these markets.</br>
Local Chairman, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Division 456</br>


<b>Connecting with </b><b>C</b><b>ommunity </b><b>S</b><b>tewards</b></br>
<big>''Dr. Beverly A. Cigler''</big>


We advise project developers to interact proactively with community stewards, whose influence on advancing or blocking projects makes them valuable partners.</br>
Professor of Public Policy & Administration, Penn State Harrisburg</br>


<b>Including </b><b>E</b><b>veryone</b></br>
<big>''Steve Gothreau''</big>


Including everyone benefiting from or impacted by a project is critical to successful design and implementation. </br>
Norfolk Southern Rail Train & Engine Service (Retired)</br>


<b>Best Interest of </b><b>the </b><b>Community and Environment</b></br>
<big>''Philip Mortimer''</big></br>
Director, TruckTrain Industries


As we level with everyone if a project is not economically viable, we also illuminate when the community's best interests or the environment are not being served.</br>
<big>''Mingzhou Jin, Ph.D.''</big></br>
Associate Head Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Tennessee


</br>
<big>''Brian Rademacher''</big>


<b>There are four steps to evaluating every project for alignment with these values</b><b> and goals</b><b>.</b></br>
CEcD Economic Development Director, City of Ormond Beach</br>


Each project’s commodities, activities, and impacts are cataloged.</br>
<big>''Karen Risa Robbins''</big>


For nuanced and complex projects, we conduct research to complete our understanding of environmental and community impacts.</br>
Principal, Washington Progress Group</br>


We share our findings with the team and stakeholders to invite all perspectives.</br>
<big>''Peter Schwartzman''</big>


Together, we decide how to influence the project’s sustainability properly.</br>
Associate Professor & Chair, Knox College Environmental Studies Program</br>


<b>
<big>''Dr. Joseph Schwieterman''</big>
</b><b>We </b><b>hold </b><b>ourselves accountable to </b><b>future </b><b>generations </b><b>by </b><b>working </b><b>only </b><b>on </b><b>projects </b><b>that </b><b>align with </b><b>a </b><b>sustainable </b><b>environment </b><b>and </b><b>healthy communities</b><b>.</b></br>


</br>
Director, DePaul University, Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development


<b>Your Opportunity to Promise</b></br>


</br>


<b>Indicate</b><b> </b><b>each </b><b>promise</b><b> </b><b>that </b><b>fits for you</b><b>:</b></br>
<div style="display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap">


</br>
<div style="float:left; max-width:800px; padding:0 20px 0 0">
<big>
====OnTrackNorthAmerica====
[[Special:Contact|Contact us]]
</big>
</div>


☐I promise to uphold OnTrackNorthAmerica’s principles and ethics and contribute to its goals </br>
<div style="min-width:300; float:right; flex:2; padding-left:20px; padding-right:20px; border-left:medium solid #c8ccd1">
<big>'''1700 Sansom Street, Suite 701'''


while on the OTNA Team.  </br>
'''Philadelphia, PA 19103 USA'''


</br>
'''Phone: +1 215-564-3004'''</big>
</div>


☐I promise to align my economic activities with the redesign of industrial systems to ensure sustainable life on Earth.</br>
</div>
 
</br>
 
☐I promise to <b>support</b> humanity in redesigning its industrial systems to ensure sustainable life on </br>
 
Earth. </br>
 
</br>
 
☐I promise to <b>co-lead</b> humanity in redesigning its industrial systems to ensure sustainable life on </br>
 
Earth.
 
Signature _____________________________________  Date________________________
 
Name ____________________________________    </br>
 
2

Latest revision as of 18:47, 3 November 2025

About OnTrackNorthAmerica (OTNA)

Michael Sussman
Michael Sussman

OTNA was founded by Michael Sussman in 2007 as a nonprofit 501c3 industrial policy institute co-leading society in redesigning industrial systems to support sustainable life. Michael Sussman began his career in transportation in 1994 by launching Strategic Rail Finance, a trusted advisory firm, and has since advised on infrastructure-related projects, companies, and systems for private and public sector clients in forty-three U.S. states and four Canadian provinces.


At OTNA, we value objectivity, non-partisanship, and autonomy from any financial, political, or personal interests. We are committed to industrial systems that are financially profitable and sustainable.

OTNA has developed state and regional plans, tools, analyses, and paradigms supporting these values.


OnTrackNorthAmerica Frequently Collaborates with Partners in Academia


He has contributed to improving public policy by meeting with staff or leaders of 69 U.S. Senate and 195 U.S. House offices.


Representative acknowledgments of these efforts:


Michael‘s writing has been published in many transportation industry journals:

Board of Trustees

Michael Sussman

Chairman, OnTrackNorthAmerica and Chairman & CEO, Strategic Rail Finance

Eugene N. (“Gene”) Cipriani

Attorney; former advisor to the United States Railway Association (U.S.R.A.); former in-house corporate counsel for Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

Daniel R. Elliott

Transportation Attorney, Former Chairman of U.S. Surface Transportation Board

R. Powell Felix

Founder, Indiana Boxcar Corporation

Jim Hoecker

Founder, Hoecker Energy Law & Policy PLLC, former Chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Arthur Menko

Founder and President of Telcodata and Business Planning, Inc

J. Vann Cunningham

Assistant Vice President, Economic Development, at BNSF Railway – Retired; Fellow Member, International Economic Development Council; Former TVA Chief of Regional Planning; Former Practice Principal in economic development and site selection, Lockwood Green Consulting

Advisory Board

Daniel Burgess

Local Chairman, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, Division 456

Dr. Beverly A. Cigler

Professor of Public Policy & Administration, Penn State Harrisburg

Steve Gothreau

Norfolk Southern Rail Train & Engine Service (Retired)

Philip Mortimer
Director, TruckTrain Industries

Mingzhou Jin, Ph.D.
Associate Head Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Tennessee

Brian Rademacher

CEcD Economic Development Director, City of Ormond Beach

Karen Risa Robbins

Principal, Washington Progress Group

Peter Schwartzman

Associate Professor & Chair, Knox College Environmental Studies Program

Dr. Joseph Schwieterman

Director, DePaul University, Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development


OnTrackNorthAmerica

Contact us

1700 Sansom Street, Suite 701

Philadelphia, PA 19103 USA

Phone: +1 215-564-3004

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