GCCA 2026 board leadership announced for GCCA; GCCF

The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) has announced the volunteer leaders who will guide its strategic direction in 2026 — a pivotal year marked by organizational transformation, renewed focus, and expanded global representation.

"These leaders bring the operational expertise, global perspective, and strategic vision needed to advance the cold chain at a defining moment for our industry," said Sara Stickler, GCCA President and CEO. "At a pivotal moment when GCCA is examining our mission, vision, and value; we need leaders who bring the highest levels of thought leadership to the table. I am deeply grateful for their service and confident that together, we will deliver the strategic leadership, advocacy, and value our members deserve in 2026 and beyond.”

Following bylaw updates that consolidate governance into a single, unified GCCA Board, this leadership class steps in at a moment of significant evolution. In early 2026, the legacy International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) and the International Refrigerated Transportation Association (IRTA) formally merged under the GCCA banner, creating one cohesive Alliance focused squarely on delivering value to every member across the global cold chain and allowing GCCA to sharpen its mandate and deepen its impact.

Together, the GCCA Board of Directors and the Global Cold Chain Foundation (GCCF) Board of Governors represent the full breadth of the temperature-controlled logistics industry, from refrigerated warehousing and transportation to international development and scientific research. These volunteer leaders set strategy, champion advocacy, and ensure that members receive the world-class representation and resources the industry demands.

GCCA Board of Directors

• Chair: Tim Ludwig, Congebec

• Vice Chair: Francisco Moura, IceStar Logistics

• Treasurer: Larry Alderfer, United States Cold Storage

• Secretary: Karen Reece, Eskimo Cold Storage

• Past Chair: Jason Dreisbach, Dreisbach Enterprises

• Executive Committee Members:

• Andrew Lawrence, Magnavale

• Richard Patenaude, Congebec

• Rafael Rocha, Emergent Cold LatAm

• Sean Vanderelzen, Lineage Logistics

• At Large Board Members

• Scott Albers, Nor-Am Cold Storage

• Devon Anders, InterChange Group

• Rich Burke, Konoike-Pacific California

• Tom Casey, Core X Partners

• Stephen Draper, Envision Cold

• Robert Fay, Seminole Gulf Railway/ Florida Freezer

• Paul Gibbons, Commercial Cold Holdings

• West Hutchison, Vertical Cold Storage

• Russell Leo, RLS Logistics

• Abhy Maharaj, Constellation Cold Logistics

• Keith Mowery, United States Cold Storage

• Chris Murphy, Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group

• Jonas Swarttouw, NewCold

• John Tippmann III, Tippmann Group- Interstate Warehousing

• Bryan Verbarendse, Americold Logistics

• Kris Verbruggen, Frigo Logistics

• Associate/ Industry Partner Council Members

• Dwight Clark, Jamison Door Company

• Don Durm, PLM Fleet

• Marko Dzeletovich, Coldbox Builders

• Quinn Vo, Mayekawa

• Region Council Members

• Africa: Newton Matope, Cold Solutions

• Brazil: Fabio Fonseca, Friozem Logistics

• Europe: Ben van Leeuwen, Frigolanda Cold

• Latin America: Rafael Rocha, Emergent Cold LatAm

GCCF Board of Governors

• Chair: Adam Forste, Lineage Logistics

• Vice Chair: Graham Harvey, NewCold

• Treasurer: Mathew Moore, Americold Logistics

• Past Chair: Mickey Hoffmann, United States Cold Storage

• At Large Board Members:

• Owusu Akoto, Freezelink

• Lisa Battino, United States Cold Storage

• Justin Brandt, Nor-Am Cold Storage

• William Duggan, Eskesen Advisory

• Wes Dye, RefrigiWear

• Michael Jahncke, Council Scientific Advisor, Chair, & Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech

• Andrew Janson, Arcadia Cold Storage

• Luis Jorge, Rannick/IS Services

• Niels Lundgaard-Svenstrup, Lineage Logistics

• Matthew Meredith, Lix | Cap Advisory & Capital  

• Joris Olbrechts, Jodifrost

• Tom Poe, Crystal Distribution

• France Pomerleau, Congebec

• Kirk Robertson, Terra Vista Capital

• Jake Stefan, ARCO DB Companies

• Marty Steinmetz, RealCold

• Bob Tippmann, QuickFreeze

• Gary White, Lineage Logistics