Michael Sussman has been president of Strategic Rail Finance since its inception in 1994. Michael has created a comprehensive program for expanding private and public sector capitalization of rail-related transportation projects. This program is based on an innovative approach that leverages the underlying asset value and potential of freight railroad projects. In the last fifteen years, Mr. Sussman has coordinated financing for projects in 23 states.
During thirteen years of work with the federal government, Michael has preserved the autonomy to speak and act in the best interests of the rail industry and the country by self-funding all of Strategic Rail’s activities in Washington, DC. Respect and trust for Michael’s innovative thinking culminated on December 8, 1998, when Strategic Rail Finance conducted a rail industry briefing in the U.S. Capitol Building with 55 congressional staffers, drawing many compliments as the finest briefing they have attended during their Washington years. See U.S. Congress' Invitation to SRF Briefing and Thank you letter from Northeast-Midwest Institute.
Michael Sussman has expanded his capabilities with a high level of commitment to knowledge, relationships, service and integrity. Some of Mr. Sussman’s specific activities and results are:
- Coordinated productive relationships with the offices of 65 United States Senators and 68 House Members
- Conducted a rail transportation conference in the U.S. Capitol Building for 55 congressional staff on December 8, 1998
- Successfully influenced H.R.115 – National Infrastructure Development Act to add eligibility of freight rail projects
- Collaborated with public- and private-sector entities to create the Washington State Produce Railcar Pool Act as passed by the 2003 state legislature
- Initiated changes to the Railroad Rehabilitation & Infrastructure Financing Act, eliminating audited financial statement requirements for Class II & III railroads
- Orchestrated a rail industry breakthrough for a Class III rail operation in Lakeville, Minnesota by coordinating three banks, MNDOT, and Canadian Pacific Railroad to generate three times the project capital previously offered
- Authored articles and/or covered by Traffic World, The Shortline, Progressive Railroading, Rail Business, Association of Transportation Law, Logistics & Policy, Rail Intelligence, and Transportation Quarterly
- Convened a five-hour summit of industry and government leaders in the U.S. Capitol Building on December 11, 2008 to develop new collaborative approaches to advance freight transportation efficiency