AFS Corporate Member Waupaca Foundry has named Michael Hawthorne as its new chief executive officer. He succeeds Mike Nikolai, who left the company after nine years as CEO and over three decades of service at the company. 

“We’re excited to welcome Mike Hawthorne to the Waupaca Foundry family,” said Chairman Daniel Collin. “He brings over 30 years of industry experience and understands the roles that engineering, design, system integration and operational excellence play in achieving breakthrough results.”

Hawthorne added, “I am honored to join Waupaca Foundry and look forward to working with the talented team to build upon the company’s strong foundation. “Waupaca Foundry has a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality products, and I am excited to lead the company to its next growth phase.”

Hawthorne’s previous experience includes serving as president, Specialty Manufacturing Group for JB Poindexter & Co., president and CEO of Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC, and president and CEO of New York Air Brake, LLC.