Mission & Leadership

Our Mission
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Founded in 1999 by Josef Lesser and Ron Gustafson, the Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation (LARHF) preserves, shares, and celebrates the history of railroading throughout the Los Angeles and Southern California.
We do this with satellite exhibits across the Southland, by sharing our archive of historic photography and memorabilia, by hosting member field trips and special events, by holding Scouting classes on railroad safety, and with our book publishing series. We employ our resources and expertise to support media, researchers, authors, heritage groups, and local communities.
Be sure to keep up with LARHF and SoCal railroad news by signing up for our monthly e-newsletter!
Visit our subscription page here.
The Los Angeles Railroad Heritage Foundation is a non-profit educational corporation chartered in the State of California in 1999 as a California Corporation numbered C2104684. The corporation is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation maintains offices at 825 Colorado Blvd. Suite 242, Los Angeles, California, 90041.
Founders
Ronald R. Gustafson
Staff
Jo Ann Lesser
Librarian
Hayden Steele
Special Projects Manager
Jared Nigro
Chief Operations Officer
Thomas Cisneros
Historian
Walt Lester
Michael Cisneros
Ellie Trope
George Higgins
Josef K. Lesser
Board of Directors
Wendell Mortimer,
President
Robert De Pietro
Ronald R. Gustafson
Vice President
Deke Keasbey
Mark Higgins
Treasurer
Stephen J. Skahen
Orlo Elfes
Secretary