GCCA names new chairs, board members

“The cold chain is a reliable, often hidden, part of the global food and perishable goods supply chain, but we have found ourselves increasingly in the spotlight in recent years. A series of unpredictable events across the world have challenged the supply chain, and we enter 2025 expecting more dynamic change. I am proud of how our industry has coped and thrived. I am extremely optimistic about the years ahead.

“As we update our strategy, working with our new president and CEO, Sara Stickler, I will be focused on three priorities: driving greater engagement with our members across the world, ensuring we are relevant and responsive to the current and emerging leaders of our industry, and that we have a strong value proposition for our warehouse membership.”

GCCA and GCCF rely on volunteer leaders to set strategy and ensure members receive the value and representation the industry needs, the association added. The GCCA is governed by two boards, one representing specifically warehouse interests and the other representing transportation. These boards oversee the events, advocacy, and advisory activities the organization delivers for our global membership. The GCCA is led by a board of governors, and they oversee the charitable work of the organization, including the Cold Chain Institute, the research and advisory services of groups like the Council of Scientific Advisors, and the international development projects.

New GCCA warehouse directors-at-large who will serve three-year terms include:

• Devon Anders, InterChange Group, Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States
• Bryan Hedge, CORE X Complete, Sturbridge, Massachusetts, United States
• Stephen Draper, Envision Cold, McAllen, Texas, United States
• Chris Murphy, Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group, Modesto, California, United States
• Henry Pringle, Constellation Cold Logistics, Luxembourg, Luxembourg, United Kingdom

Current board members approved to serve additional three-year terms include:

• Russell Leo, RLS Logistics, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, United States
• John Tippmann, Interstate Warehousing, Wayne, Indiana, United States
• Sean Vanderelzen, Lineage, Novi, Michigan, United States

GCCA appointed Richard Patenaude, president of Congebec Transport in Ontario, Canada, as chair of its transportation board. Robert Fay, of Florida Freezer, will support Patenaude as vice chair.

“Global trade relies on efficient and reliable transportation,” Patenaude said. “The global cold chain has been tested in recent years, and there remain big challenges ahead. With the current uncertainty around the trading relationships between the world’s global trading blocs, we expect to see various impacts both domestically and across borders around the world. We can also anticipate further disruption from climatic and geopolitical events and an ongoing challenge of global policies to decarbonize all modes of transport. A strong voice for cold chain truckers, rail, and air cargo has never been more critical and will provide significant growth opportunities in the years ahead.

“GCCA transportation provides the insights and tools to help professionals across the chain to be as prepared as possible for the dynamic changes ahead for our industry. I thank all my colleagues on the board, and welcome our new board members, with special appreciation to the wider Alliance for their support and ongoing partnership.”

New transportation directors-at-large who will serve three-year terms include:

• Tom Brennan, Americold, South Plainfield, New Jersey, United States
• Renier Du Preez, Digistics, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Jason Massey, Ndustrial, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
• Brook Miller, Envision Cold, McAllen, Texas, United States

Additionally, Ken Whah, president of Core X Partners (Michigan, United States), will serve as chair of the GCCAF board; and Sam Tippmann, president of TI Cold (Florida, United States), will continue as chair of the Controlled Environment Building Association board for the second year of his two-year term.