Cool Times Podcast

In this episode of Cool Times Podcast , Vince and Jenna Free welcome back Brian Lynch for a deep dive into everything happening at CEBA (Controlled Environment Building Association) and the broader GCCA (Global Cold Chain Alliance). Brian shares key updates, insights into strategic growth, member benefits, upcoming events, and how CEBA is shaping the future of controlled environment building throu...

In this special episode of Cool Times Podcast , host Vince Free sits down with his wife, Jenna Free, COO of Freez Construction, to celebrate Women in Construction Week and discuss the evolving landscape for women in the industry. They share personal stories, insights into leadership and business growth, and the progress made in increasing female representation in construction. Jenna reflects on he...

Cold Storage is Going Higher—Literally! Automation, ASRS, and smart warehouse design are reshaping cold storage—and Steve Wilson of Slate River Systems (SRSI) is at the center of it all. Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Steve to break down how data-driven automation is making cold storage operations more efficient, cost-effective, and ready for the future. From pallet shuttles to warehouse manag...

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free are joined by Josh Lewis, President of RL Cold, to discuss the evolving cold storage industry. They explore RL Cold's unique customer-centric approach to developing cold storage facilities, the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, and the importance of sustainability and automation. Josh shares insights on the challenges of growt...

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome James Price, a regional sales manager at Iceberg Mechanical. James shares his extensive experience in the refrigeration industry, discussing the growth of Iceberg Mechanical, the importance of custom refrigeration solutions, and the innovations in low charge systems. The conversation also touches on the future of refrige...

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Jenna, and Vince Free welcome Dan Crist, the President of A M King, to discuss the intricacies of the cold storage construction industry. Dan shares his journey from a large international contracting firm to becoming a key player in A M King, emphasizing the importance of the design-build approach and the challenges faced in cold storage projects. T...

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome Frank Siedler from Wagner Group, a leading fire protection company specializing in low oxygen systems for cold storage facilities. Frank shares insights into the evolution of Wagner Group, its innovative fire protection solutions, and the challenges faced in the cold storage industry. The conversation delves into the imp...

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, Vince and Jenna Free speaks with Kurt Liebendorfer, Vice President of Industrial Refrigeration Business Development at EVAPCO. Kurt shares his extensive journey in the refrigeration industry, detailing his experiences from the food and beverage sector to significant projects in the petrochemical and energy industries. The conversation delves into innovati...

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, host Vince and Jenna Free interviews Russell Leo, CEO of RLS Logistics. They discuss the current state of the logistics industry, the growth and services of RLS, and the importance of family legacy in business. Russell shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in the cold storage sector, as well as his personal journey in the family business. Th...

In this episode of Cool Times Podcast, Bobby Degregorio, VP of Business Development at ESI Group Design Build, discusses his background in the military and his transition to the cold storage industry. He highlights the importance of relationships and integrity in the industry and shares his experiences and challenges in business development. Bobby D emphasizes the need for a positive attitude, dis...

Burnie Taylor, Chief Development and Solutions Officer at Arcadia Cold, joins the Cool Times podcast hosted by Jenna and Vince Free, to discuss the new age of cold storage construction. Arcadia Cold is a growing cold storage company that focuses on customer service and building a strong culture. Burnie shares insights into their strategy for selecting facility locations, their approach to building...

In this episode of the Cool Times podcast, Hosts Vince and Jenna Free interviews Dwight Clark, the President and CEO of Jamison Door Companies. They discuss Dwight's background, the history of Jamison, and the various products the company offers, including cold storage doors, high-speed roll-up doors, and specialty doors for performing arts centers and jet engine test cells. Dwight also talks abou...

In this episode, Hosts Vince and Jenna Free interviews Vince Humphreys,Senior Construction Sales at J.F. Ahern Co. about fire protection in cold storage construction. They discuss the history and background of Ahern, the different types of fire protection systems, and the importance of product classification and flu spacing. They also touch on the challenges of protecting different types of produc...

In this episode of The Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome the team from Weiland Doors, including Carl Weiland, Calvin Mueller, and Christina Sirek, to discuss the company's recent growth and developments. They highlight Weiland Doors' focus on meeting the specific needs of the cold storage industry, emphasizing the introduction of CS grade hardware. The team shares success stor...

Nelson, Principal Investment Portfolio Manager at BGO. Will discusses BGO's focus on cold storage investments globally, highlighting their approach and motivation. He explains the process of partnering with localized development teams and the factors influencing project locations.  The conversation delves into assessing viability and returns on investment, considering rising costs and market...

In this episode of The Cool Times podcast hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, they welcome guest Colin Williams from Williams Company, a project manager in the cold storage industry. Colin discusses his company's journey from its founding in 1920 to its recent resurgence in the cold storage sector. He highlights pivotal projects, including a major renovation for Sysco after a tornado, showcasing their...

In this episode of The Cool Times podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free sit down with guest McKenna Migas, Project Engineer at Fisher Construction Group to discuss her experiences in the construction industry. McKenna shares insights from her challenging yet exciting job site projects, highlighting the importance of confidence and boldness, especially for women entering the field. The conversation d...

In this episode of Cool Times Podcast, hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, Kathryn MacMillan, Director of Business Development at FCL Builders, joins the conversation to share her experiences and insights as a woman in the construction industry.  Kathryn traces her interest in construction back to childhood experiences with architecture and construction-related activities. She discusses her role...

<div>In this episode of The Cool Times podcast hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, they welcome guests Brandon Reeve, President at Applied Fabricators, Inc., and Andrew Bye, Director of Operations at Applied Fabricators, Inc. They discuss the growth and success of Applied Fabricators over the years. Brandon shares the history of AFAB, which began as a family business in 1984, focusing on sheet m...

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome Peter Goffredo, VP of Operations at Frazier, for a discussion on the growth of Frazier in the material handling industry, especially in cold storage. They delve into Frazier's product line, covering traditional manual warehouse racking to automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS).  Peter shares insights into th...

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, the hosts reflect on the highlights and takeaways from 2023. They emphasize the importance of reflection and preparation for success in 2024. The episode features a special guest, Joe Jardine, a licensed marriage and family therapist and performance mindset coach.  Joe shares insights on core values, the equation of wis...

Welcome to The Cool Times Podcast, hosted by Vince Free and Jenna Free, where they explore all things cool in the cold storage construction industry. In this episode, they are joined by Todd Jessup, the President of FLEXSPACE and Co-founder of FlexCold. The discussion revolves around innovative cold storage solutions, the challenges faced in the industry, and the growth of FlexCold. Todd discusses...

Welcome to The Cool Times Podcast, hosted by Vince Free and Jenna Free. In this week's episode, the hosts sit down with Brian Lynch, the Executive Director of CEBA (Controlled Environment Building Association) and Executive Vice President in GCCA (Global Cold Chain Alliance). Together, they dive into the world of controlled environment building, discussing the history, mission, and impact of CEBA...

<div>In this episode of The Cool Times podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free are joined by a special guest, Cory Singer, the Vice President of Business Development and Pre-Construction at FCL Builders. Cory shares his insights into the cold storage and industrial construction industry, discussing challenges, market trends, and strategies for managing growth.<br><br></div><...

In this episode of The Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free welcome Gary O'Donnell to the show. Gary, a seasoned professional with 26 years of experience in the industry, recently joined the team at Karis Cold, a leading developer specializing in cold storage and spec buildings. As Gary shares his journey and insights, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic world of cold st...