I am a seasoned educator, trainer and operations leader with a Master of Education in Adult Learning and decades of experience designing and delivering training across rail, government and hospitality sectors. I enjoy turning complex requirements into practical learning solutions and leading teams to successful outcomes. I’m passionate about developing people, improving processes, and delivering engaging learning experiences. I value clear communication, hands-on coaching, and a friendly, collaborative approach to solving problems and driving results.

Michael J. (Mike) Kocon

I am a seasoned educator, trainer and operations leader with a Master of Education in Adult Learning and decades of experience designing and delivering training across rail, government and hospitality sectors. I enjoy turning complex requirements into practical learning solutions and leading teams to successful outcomes. I’m passionate about developing people, improving processes, and delivering engaging learning experiences. I value clear communication, hands-on coaching, and a friendly, collaborative approach to solving problems and driving results.

Available to hire

I am a seasoned educator, trainer and operations leader with a Master of Education in Adult Learning and decades of experience designing and delivering training across rail, government and hospitality sectors. I enjoy turning complex requirements into practical learning solutions and leading teams to successful outcomes.
I’m passionate about developing people, improving processes, and delivering engaging learning experiences. I value clear communication, hands-on coaching, and a friendly, collaborative approach to solving problems and driving results.

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Experience Level

Intermediate
Intermediate

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Field Representative at United States Department of Commerce
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2025
Conduct personal interviews for D of C clients i.e. American Housing Survey and American Community Survey
Field Supervisor at United States Census Bureau
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Supervise a team of 26 interviewers for the 2020 Census
Lister at United States Census Bureau
July 1, 2019 - October 31, 2019
Canvass neighborhoods verifying residential addresses
Test Scorer at Data Recognition Corporation
March 1, 2016 - June 30, 2022
Score achievement test essays for state education departments
Liquor Store Clerk at Cub Wine & Spirits
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2018
Stock and sell wine, beer and spirits while providing excellent customer service
Principal & Owner at Saint Croix Rail Consultants
November 1, 2011 - June 1, 2017
Worked under vendor contract to Rail Temps Inc./Transportation Certification Services (November 2011 – June 2017) in the same roles as I did as AVP.
Assistant Vice President at Rail Temps, Inc./Transportation Certification Services
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2011
Market, sell and direct the delivery contracts for the training and staffing of client railroads and rail-related companies throughout the United States and Canada.
Trainer at Spherion Employee Services
June 1, 2005 - August 31, 2005
Trained newly hired Northwest Airlines flight attendants in customer service, ergonomics, hazardous materials and in-flight safety
Manager, Safety & Regulatory Training & Education at Canadian Pacific Railway
January 1, 1996 - January 1, 2000
Piloted research, development, delivery and training of courses in safety, supervision, communications, lifestyle management, and ergonomics
Director, Training and Employee Development at Canadian Pacific Railway
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1996
Designed/directed the design and delivery of technical, supervisory, and safety specific training.
Director, Employee Involvement at Soo Line Railroad
January 1, 1986 - January 1, 1990
Managed an Employee Involvement Program of 29 Problem Solving Teams
Loaned Executive at Soo Line Railroad
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1985
Coordinated United Way efforts with up to twenty companies each year
Locomotive Engineer at Soo Line Railroad
January 1, 1971 - January 1, 1985
Ran trains on the mainline, switching and transfer movements. Was local Brotherhood of Engineers union representative
Field Supervisor at United States Department of Commerce
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2020
Supervise a team of 26 interviewers for the 2020 Census
Manager, Network Management Center at Canadian Pacific Railway
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2006
Call center manager assigning and allocating 1,400 train crew employees on trains in 6 states from Indiana to North Dakota
Loaned Executive United Way at Soo Line Railroad
January 1, 1984 - January 1, 1985
Coordinated United Way efforts with up to twenty companies each year
Interim General Manager at Telemark Northwoods Lodging
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Ran the resort (58 units, 10 employees) for a total of 10 months for GM vacancies in 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024 and 2025
Interim General Manager at Telemark Northwoods Lodging
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Ran the resort (58 units, 10 employees) for a total of 10 months for GM vacancies in 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024 and 2025
Interim General Manager at Telemark Northwoods Lodging
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Ran the resort (58 units, 10 employees) for a total of 10 months for GM vacancies in 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024 and 2025
Interim General Manager at Telemark Northwoods Lodging
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Ran the resort (58 units, 10 employees) for a total of 10 months for GM vacancies in 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024 and 2025
Interim General Manager at Telemark Northwoods Lodging
January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Ran the resort (58 units, 10 employees) for a total of 10 months for GM vacancies in 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024 and 2025
Test Scorer (Seasonal/Part-time) at Data Recognition Corporation
March 1, 2016 - June 30, 2022
Score achievement test essays for state education departments
Assistant Vice President at Rail Temps, Inc./ Transportation Certification Services
January 1, 2006 - December 31, 2011
Market, sell and direct the delivery contracts for the training and staffing of client railroads and rail-related companies throughout the United States and Canada. Lived in Toronto Ontario from October 2007 – May of 2008 directing the development and delivery of training of over 100 GO Transit commuter service locomotive engineers.
Trainer (Part-time) at Spherion Employee Services
June 1, 2005 - August 31, 2005
Trained newly hired Northwest Airlines flight attendants in customer service, ergonomics, hazardous materials and in-flight safety
Loaned Executive at United Way
January 1, 1984 - December 31, 1985
Coordinated United Way efforts with up to twenty companies each year; recognized for campaign results

Education

Master of Education, Adult Learning at University of Calgary
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Trainer Certificate I at University of St Thomas, St Paul, MN
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Trainer Certificate II at University of St Thomas, St Paul, MN
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education at University of Wisconsin – Superior, WI
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Master of Education, Adult Learning at University of Calgary
January 11, 2030 - January 14, 2026
Trainer Certificate I at University of St Thomas
January 11, 2030 - January 14, 2026
Trainer Certificate II at University of St Thomas
January 11, 2030 - January 14, 2026
Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education at University of Wisconsin – Superior
January 11, 2030 - January 14, 2026
Master of Education, Adult Learning at University of Calgary
January 11, 2030 - February 12, 2026
Trainer Certificate I at University of St Thomas
January 11, 2030 - February 12, 2026
Trainer Certificate II at University of St Thomas
January 11, 2030 - February 12, 2026
Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education at University of Wisconsin – Superior
January 11, 2030 - February 12, 2026

Qualifications

Trainer Certificate I
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Trainer Certificate II
January 11, 2030 - December 22, 2025
Trainer Certificate I, Adult Education
January 11, 2030 - January 14, 2026
Trainer Certificate II, Adult Education
January 11, 2030 - January 14, 2026
CPR Training
January 11, 2030 - January 14, 2026
Trainer Certificate I
January 11, 2030 - February 12, 2026
Trainer Certificate II
January 11, 2030 - February 12, 2026

Industry Experience

Government, Professional Services, Education, Manufacturing, Transportation & Logistics, Travel & Hospitality, Media & Entertainment