Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS 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 the inception of FLEXSPACE around 2014, focusing on introducing innovative technology like mobile racking into the U.S. market. He explains the benefits of mobile racking, including increased storage capacity and operational efficiency. Todd also talks about…
Author: Vince & Jenna Free
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS 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 and GCCA. They explore the challenges and triumphs faced by the industry during the pandemic, emphasizing the resilience and dedication of its members. Brian shares his extensive background in association management, highlighting the unique journey that led him…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS 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. Corey discusses the booming demand in the warehousing and e-commerce sectors, emphasizing the lack of overbuilding and sustained demand in the market.Challenges in obtaining capital due to fluctuating interest rates and lending restrictions are discussed, posing potential difficulties in closing deals.Vince and Corey also explore the…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS 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 storage development and the role of a VP of Construction. Gary provides insights into Karis Cold’s role in the construction industry. Karis Cold is primarily a developer that specializes in building cold storage…
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6cDml8abM8inqRtoqH2wUZ?si=EVIldk5eTruNezTxcNGL5A Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Cool Times podcast! This week, hosts Vince and Jenna Free are joined by the industry expert Carson Miller, a true friend of the show and an integral part of the Assured Partners team. Carson’s journey into the world of insurance and risk management is not just a career, but a passion that runs in his DNA. Tune in as they dive into the captivating world of captive insurance, real estate risk management, and how Carson’s unique approach to partnership is transforming the way businesses manage their risks. Carson Miller, is…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this exciting episode, hosts Jenna and Vince Free are joined by Christopher Ware, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Initiatives at NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. Christopher shares insights about the upcoming I.CON Cold Storage Conference, a unique event tailored to developers, owners, and investors in the cold storage industry. Christopher Ware introduces himself and his background, highlighting his journey from a history major to becoming a seasoned association professional. He provides an overview of NAIOP’s role as a leading national trade association for commercial real estate, with a particular focus on industrial real estate.…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of the Cool Times podcast, Vince and Jenna Free, the dynamic duo and business partners, sit down with Jake Stefan, President at ARCO Design Build Companies Inc. As they explore all things cool about cold storage, they dive deep into Jake’s journey, experiences, and insights that have shaped his successful career. Jake Stefan’s inspiring journey in the cold storage industry is showcased, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities, embracing challenges, and cultivating a thriving culture in the workplace. Watch Full Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07VhgHToxTs&feature=youtu.be Story Notes: Jake Stefan’s Background The Midwest Roots About ARCO Design Build Companies Inc.…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of Cool Times podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free invite special guest Mike Jones, the President at Primus Design Services, a registered architect and the design component for Primus Builders. Mike Jones tells the listeners about his company and what he does for Primus and the industry. He also talks about the synergy of being a true design builder and the in-house capacity to do that. He explains that they have other self-performing entities that Primus is doing now too, such as their thermal division that installs their own insulated panels in the floor insulation to…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS In this episode of the Cool Times podcast, hosted by Vince and Jenna Free, with special guest Peter Bartell, the co-hosts start with the sponsorship spotlight segment, thanking the sponsor Versi – Foam for their support. They then move on to talking about the origins of the podcast and the CEBA executive board meeting, where the attendees strategized and talked about how to take the industry to the next level. They introduce Peter Bartell, the vice president and one of the owners of Versi – Foam, and ask him about how he got started and what Verifone is all…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS On this week’s episode, Vince and Jenna Free are joined by guests Doug Bowen, Business Development Manager at Solidus and Jeff Hall, Founder/CEO of Paragon Construction Consulting & Solidus to discuss their experiences in the cold storage and construction industry. Doug and Jeff explain how they got started in the cold storage industry, their first experiences in the industry, and the mentors that helped them along the way. They also discuss their current projects. Doug and Jeff also share their cool stories in the industry. Tune in to hear all the cool insight from Doug Bowen and Jeff Hall.…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS Welcome to the Cool Times podcast with your Hosts Vince and Jenna Free! In this episode we are introducing our new series, Sponsorship Spotlight. Our first spotlight is on Chase Deaton, the Director of Sales for Rytec High-Performance Doors. Chase is a legend in the industry and has been supporting Rytec for 20 years. He talks about his competitive nature and how it drives him to be successful. He shares what is new in the Rytec world, such as their latest automation projects and the Smart Factory. Chase also touches on the misconception that doors should be perfect and…
Subscribe: iTunes / Spotify / RSS Hosts Vince and Jenna talk with Maggie Christiansen, Regional Sales Manager at Kingspan Insulated Panels. Maggie has been in the industry for almost 20 years and has a wealth of knowledge to share. Maggie shared her story of how she got into the industry, starting with her dad’s independent manufacturer’s rep business. Maggie worked for her dad for 10 years prior to Kingspan hiring her as the Regional Sales Manager. Maggie explained Kingspan is the largest manufacturer of insulated metal panels globally and has 198 manufacturing facilities around the world. Kingspan has three panel divisions in North America, the…