RL COLD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Engineering
With a strong background in mechanical contracting and 10 years of cold storage experience with Americold, Cary helps RL Cold stay at the front of the industry as VP of Acquisitions.
In this role, Cary focuses on acquiring existing facilities targeted for revitalization, and guides new cold storage developments in design and construction.
On top of his years in the field, Cary's completed several RETA courses, and obtained the CARO and CIRO certifications for industrial refrigeration.
Cary is happily married to his wife of 20 year, Christa, and loves watching his two teenagers, Ella and Hardy, play volleyball and soccer, respectively. Relaxation for Cary means fishing with the whole family down on Florida's Forgotten Coast.
Job Titles:
- Director of Pharmaceutical Development
In February of 2023, Chris joined RL Cold as Director of Pharmaceutical Development, working in market research and forming a strategy to advance RL Cold into the market of climate-controlled pharmaceutical storage.
Chris graduated with honors as a Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University College of Pharmacy in Atlanta, GA, and has worked for the past decade in various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry, including consulting, long-term care, compounding, and retail.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of Business Development
- Senior Vice President of Sales & Business Development
- Supply Chain and Logistics Executive
Diogo Fleury Lobo is an accomplished supply chain and logistics executive with over 20 years of experience leading operations and driving growth for global companies. After beginning his career in Brazil and gaining expertise across food processing, production management, and quality control, Diogo took on pivotal roles at major corporations like JBS USA and Lineage Logistics. As CEO of NorthPoint Logistics, he successfully acquired companies and transformed operations. At A.P. Moller - Maersk, Diogo played a key role team establishment, and delivering stabilized operational sites within a 12-18-month timeframe. My purview included P&L management, overseeing a revenue of over $200M and EBIT of $30M and establishing new facilities across North America.
In his current position as Senior Vice President of Business Development at RL Cold, Diogo focuses on expanding cold storage and engineering solutions for food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. He aims to incorporate cutting-edge automation and robotics by collaborating with MIT. Diogo holds an MBA and completed the Supply Chain Executive Program at MIT. He is recognized as a strategic innovator dedicated to customer-centric solutions, efficiency, and driving excellence across the evolving global supply chain.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of Operations
John joined RL Cold in 2023 as Vice President of Cold Storage Design. John's 20-years of experience in the supply chain industry has been focused on warehouse operations, transportation, program management, design, and construction. He spent the prior 8 years as senior engineering program manger at Americold, where he led some of its largest and most successful projects. John was recently recognized by the GCCA and IARW as a future leader in the cold storage industry and his projects have received awards for by the CEBA and DBIA.
In March of 2021, Josh joined RealtyLink's Atlanta office as Vice President of Cold Storage Development to further advance RealtyLink's presence within the climate-controlled asset class. In March of 2022, Josh moved into the role of Chief Operating Officer for RL Cold.
Josh serves as a partner in RL Cold and oversees all strategy, business case planning, and project implementation for the cold storage portfolio. Josh is an Air Force veteran serving with the 823rd Red Horse Squadron. Josh comes to RealtyLink with 20+ years in construction, food production, and cold storage development. Most recently, Josh worked for Americold Logistics as manager of cold storage design in their business development department.
Job Titles:
- Director of Cold Storage Construction
Judd joins our team by way of our parent company, RealtyLink, where he oversaw numerous projects across a range of asset classes as a Construction Manager. Today, he serves with the RLCold team as Director of Cold Storage Construction, managing all Cold Storage Construction Projects.
Judd brings over nineteen years of construction experience, managing a variety of project types throughout his career. He spent fourteen years with Choate Construction Company, guiding all aspects of construction as a project manager.
Judd is married with two children, and enjoys spending time with his family biking the Swamp Rabbit Trail, watching his son's baseball games, and his daughter's dance competitions.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Business Development
Matt brings more than 29-years of experience in maritime, supply chain and cold storage logistics to RL Cold. His primary responsibilities are evolving RL Cold's development nationally, by forging long term relationships with frozen/refrigerated clients, targeted logistics companies, and proven operators of cold facilities. In addition, Matt will spearhead RL Cold's port-centric logistics development focus through his relationships with ports in key logistics corridors.
Prior to joining RL Cold, Matt spent 21-years with the South Carolina State Ports Authority. As their National Accounts Manager, he helped drive growth of import and export business, which generated $292-million in operating revenue. Matt focused on frozen/refrigerated clients for the Port, and led business development with multiple cold storage providers. His efforts included conception, planning, execution, performance management, and commercial efforts to identify and win business for the facilities. Matt also previously worked with Portman Industrial as their Director of Port & Cold Development.
Matt grew up in Beaufort, SC and he is a 1993 graduate of The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, where he earned a BA degree in Political Science (International Politics). In his free time, he is an avid runner, and he also enjoys golf, hiking, cooking, and traveling. He has served on the board of the Atlanta Maritime Association, and he has been an active member of the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC), USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), Meat Import Council of America (MICA), and the American Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA).
Phil co-founded RealtyLink in 1998 to develop commercial real estate for retail and restaurant clients. Today, he manages and coordinates the operations of RealtyLink's various development companies.
He was influential in the development of RL Cold and currently serves as the CEO.
Raeanna has always had a passion for numbers. After graduating from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor's in Statistics and Psychology in May 2020, she was eager to apply her skills and knowledge to real-world scenarios.
As our Supply Chain Analyst, Raeanna collects and evaluates data to ensure supply chain systems are running effectively and efficiently. She also provides cross-functional support for the real estate and business development team in executing proposed strategies.
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Analytics
Robert has over 35 years of experience in the warehousing and logistics industry. The last 20 years of his career have been spent specializing in cold storage distribution, most recently in General Manager and Director of Operations roles.
Robert is a certified Black Belt in Lean Sigma and Six Sigma, which has nothing to do with martial arts. Lean Six Sigma Black Belts are project leaders who work full-time to implement Lean Six Sigma process improvements using the DMAIC (Define Measure, Analyze and Improve, Control) and DFSS (Design for Six Sigma) methodologies. Some of the benefits of this certification are stronger leadership, strategy, and problem-solving skills.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Operations
As Vice President of Operations, Russ leads the business case development for RL Cold's climate-controlled projects. He brings over 30 years of experience within the supply chain, food logistics, and 3PL sectors with an emphasis on business development, cold storage, and supply chain and logistics operations.
Before joining RL Cold, Russ was Regional Director of Operations for Americold Logistics with operational and financial oversight in multiple states and leading multiple food logistics business units.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Development
Sam has over three decades of experience in the cold storage industry. Over that time, he has gained much experience, especially in Operations, Team Building, Management, and Customer Service. He is always looking for ways to improve himself and his team through endeavors such as World Food Logistics Organization training, Lean Six Sigma, and Dale Carnegie classes.
Sam is a firm believer in building strong relationships, whether with his immediate family, church, or coworkers. He enjoys playing golf, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends in his spare time.
Job Titles:
- Development Manager - Greenville, SC
Tyler joined the RL Cold in 2022 to manage the construction of all current and future cold storage facilities. His role as Development Manager ensures proper construction management and client coordination for the increasing demand for world-class cold storage facilities. As a BD-5 Unlimited General Contractor's license holder, Tyler is a vital part of what makes s the market's most knowledgeable and well-equipped construction team.
With a degree in civil engineering and over seven years of project management experience as a federal contractor, Tyler brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. His background as a contractor gives him an insider's view on managing projects effectively, ensuring that they are completed on time and within budget.
Job Titles:
- Senior Vice President of Investment Strategy
Before joining RL Cold, Zach served Realty Link as their Director of Strategy & Investments, leading investment committee meetings, managing the Asset Management Department, ensuring seamless execution of monthly, quarterly, and annual lender reporting packages, as well as overseeing loan covenants and compliance across the Realty Link portfolio.
Zach's arrival at RL Cold marks a significant milestone in our pursuit of excellence and innovation in the investment landscape. We are confident that his deep industry knowledge and strategic mindset will play a pivotal role in driving our continued success.