Waupaca Foundry announced Michael Hawthorne as its new chief executive officer.

Hawthorne succeeds Mike Nikolai, who left the company after more than three decades of service at Waupaca Foundry — including nine years as CEO. 

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. Hawthorne holds a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Clarkson University, a master’s in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an MBA from Syracuse University.

“I am honored to join Waupaca Foundry and look forward to working with the talented team to build upon the company’s strong foundation,” Hawthorne said. “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.”

Waupaca Foundry operates three Wisconsin-based foundries in Waupaca and Marinette and another in Tell City, Indiana. The company also operates a machining center and is headquartered in Waupaca.