GCCA NextGen Award
2023 Frank Vale Award Winner Attends GCCA Conference in Scottsdale Arizona!
The recipient of this year's Frank Vale Award will attend the GCCA Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona and represent Australia in the GCCA's Next Gen Award. They will compete with other finalists from the USA, South America, Africa, Brazil, and Europe at the international level.
The 2023 Frank Vale Award judging will take place at the RWTA Annual Conference to be held this year at the QT Gold Coast.
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“Recognising aspiring leaders under 35"
The GCCA Next Generation Award (NextGen), was founded in 2015 to annually acknowledge talented young people within the industry, who have demonstrated to their employers that they have the potential to make a positive contribution to the development of the industry and become future leaders in the industry.
ABOUT THE GOLBAL COLD CHAIN ALLIANCE
The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) serves as the focused voice of the international cold chain industry, representing some 1,300 member companies in over 65 countries. Launched in 2007, GCCA unites partners to be innovative leaders in the temperature-controlled products industry. The four core partners are: the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses, the World Food Logistics Organization, the International Refrigerated Transportation Association, and the International Association for Cold Storage Construction.
ABOUT THE AWARD
The GCCA Next Generation Award (NextGen), was founded in 2015 to annually acknowledge talented young people within the industry, who have demonstrated to their employers that they have the potential to make a positive contribution to the development of the industry and become future leaders in the industry.
Nominees for the GCCA NextGen Award will be put forward by each national and international organisation at the Annual IARW-WFLO Convention to compete for the global award.
The winner of the GCCA NextGen Award will receive a plaque with their name inscribed on it, and a travel stipend to attend a GCCA global event of their choosing in the year it is awarded.
AWARD ELIGIBILITY
This award is open to employees of all GCCA member companies who have:
Met the age requirement; 35 years of age, or younger as of 1 April each year
Demonstrated excellence in their work
Demonstrated potential to excel further in any of the many facets within the industry
Worked within the industry for a minimum of three years and have a broad knowledge of the cold chain industry
May come from any section of the industry including commercial, administrative, technical, engineering, accounting, sales, handling, service, or management
Possess insight into their organisations strategic values and direction, policies and ways of working.
Available to attend the IARW-WFLO Convention and a GCCA Global Event
2020 NextGen Award Winner
Luca Quaresima, of NewCold Advanced Cold Logistics, Awarded 2020 Global NextGen Award
January 27, Arlington, VA - Today, Luca Quaresima, of NewCold Advanced Cold Logistics, was awarded the 2020 Global NextGen Award from the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA). In the five years of the award’s history, Luca is the first recipient from Europe to be awarded this top honor. The Global NextGen Award recognizes outstanding young professionals in the world’s cold chain industry.
“The Global Next Generation Award celebrates the accomplishments of our industry’s rising stars and Luca is a great example of that,” said Brian Beazer, General Manager and CEO of WCS Logistics and the Chairman of the World Food Logistics Organization. “2020 showed us the need for individuals who lead, now more than ever. All of our nominees were in good company and have proven themselves to be great young leaders.”
Among other eligibility requirements for the award, finalists demonstrate excellence in their work; the potential to excel further in many facets within the industry; and insight into their organizations’ strategic values, direction, policies and ways of working.
Candidates for the 2020 GCCA Global NextGen Award were nominated by national refrigerated warehousing organizations to compete virtually for the global award. In addition to Quaresima, finalists included:
Demi Hiriaki, from Iceland Cold Storage in Australia and winner of the 2019 Frank Vale Award
Zeshan Hassan, from Congebec, Inc. in Canada, and winner of the 2020 Don Schlimme Future Leader Award
As part of the selection process, each nominee was interviewed and judged by a panel of industry leaders from around the world. Candidates were evaluated on their knowledge level of the industry, track record of excellence, communication skills and leadership skills. In addition, each candidate delivered a ten-minute presentation to the panel of judges virtually.
If you, or a representative from your company, would like to compete for the 2021 award, please visit GCCA's website for more information.
2019 NextGen Award Winner
Fernando León Rodríguez of Bajo Cero Frigoríficos, representing Latin America, is chosen as the winner of the 2019 Global NextGenAward at the Global Cold Chain Expo.
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - The Global NextGen Award, developed by the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), recognizes outstanding young professionals in the global cold chain industry. Fernando León Rodríguez, Deputy Director of Under Zero Refrigerators, Mexico, received the fourth annual award during a general session at the Global Cold Chain Expo, held in June 2019 in Chicago, Illinois.
Fernando represented Latin America as he was the winner of the 2018 Latin American Future Leader Award.
The GCCA Global NextGen Award recognizes talented young professionals who have the potential to become future leaders and make a positive contribution to the development of the global temperature-controlled storage and logistics industry. The finalists of the award are winners of industry awards that recognize the exceptional achievements of young professionals in the cold chain in a specific region or country. Among other eligibility requirements for the award, nominees had to demonstrate excellence in their work, the potential to excel in the many facets within the industry, and have knowledge of their organization's strategic values and direction, policies, and ways of working.
Candidates for the 2019 GCCA Global NextGen Award were designated by national refrigerated storage organizations to compete for the global award at the Cold Chain Expo. In addition to Fernando, the finalists were:
Anthony Crowhurst, Infrastructure Manager at Emergent Cold, represented Australia as the winner of the 2018 RWTA Frank Vale Award.
Michael Fischer, CEO of RLS Logistics, represented North America as the winner of the 2019 WFLO Don Schlimme Future Leader Award.
Ben Price, Commercial Manager of GroContinental, an AGRO Merchants company, represented Europe as the winner of the GCCA Award for future European leaders.
As part of the selection process, each nominee was interviewed and judged by a panel of industry leaders from around the world. Candidates were evaluated based on their level of industry knowledge, history of excellence, communication skills and leadership skills. In addition, each candidate made a five-minute presentation to the panel of judges and attendees of the Global Cold Chain Expo.
2018 NextGen Award Winner
Marquel Broussard of New Orleans Cold Storage Awarded 2018 GCCA Global NextGen Award
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – The Global NextGen Award, developed by the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), recognizes outstanding young professionals in the world’s cold chain industry. Marquel Broussard, New Orleans Cold Storage (NOCS), was named the recipient of the fourth annual award during a general session at the Global Cold Chain Expo, held June 25-27, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois.
Broussard represented North America as the recipient of the Don Schlimme Future Leader Award during the 2018 IARW-WFLO Convention.
The GCCA Global NextGen Award recognizes talented young professionals who have the potential to become future leaders and make a positive contribution to the development of the global temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics industry. Finalists for the award are recipients of industry awards that recognize exceptional achievement by young professionals in the cold chain in a specific region or country. Among other eligibility requirements for the award, nominees had to demonstrate excellence in their work, the potential to excel further in the many facets within the industry and possess insight into their organization’s strategic values and direction, policies and ways of working.
Candidates for the 2018 GCCA Global NextGen Award were nominated by national refrigerated warehousing organizations to compete for the global award at the Global Cold Chain Expo. The other nominees in addition to Broussard included:
Mauricio Carlos Esquer, Basal Almacenamiento y Logistica, represented Latin America as the recipient of the 2017 Latin America Future Leader Award
Mathew Reiffel, Americold Logistics, represented Australia as the recipient of the 2017 Frank Vale Award
As part of the selection process, each nominee was interviewed and judged by a panel of industry leaders from around the world. Candidates were evaluated on their knowledge level of the industry, track record of excellence, communication skills, and leadership skills. In addition, each candidate delivered a five-minute presentation to the panel of judges and the Global Cold Chain Expo attendees.
As the recipient of the GCCA Global NextGen award, Broussard will receive a travel stipend to attend a GCCA or GCCA partner event anywhere in the world in 2018 and was presented with an engraved 2018 GCCA Global NextGen award.
Download photos of the 2018 GCCA Global NextGen Award Finalists and Winner below. If you would like more photos, please contact Laura Poko at lpoko@gcca.org.
2017 NextGen Award Winner
Matt Toogood of United States Cold Storage Awarded 2017 GCCA Global NextGen Award
Alexandria, VA (May 8, 2017) – The Global NextGen Award, developed by the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), recognizes outstanding young professionals in the world’s cold chain industry. Matt Toogood, United States Cold Storage (USCS), was named the recipient of the third annual award during the Closing General Session of the 126th International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) and World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), Core Partners of GCCA, Convention, held April 22-25, 2017 in Dana Point, Calif.
Toogood represented the United States of America as the recipient of the Don Schlimme Future Leader Award during the 2017 WFLO Institute East.
The GCCA Global NextGen Award recognizes talented young professionals who have the potential to become future leaders and make a positive contribution to the development of the global temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics industry. Finalists for the award are recipients of industry awards that recognize exceptional achievement by young professionals in the cold chain in a specific region or country. Among other eligibility requirements for the award, nominees had to demonstrate excellence in their work, the potential to excel further in the many facets within the industry, and possess insight into their organization’s strategic values and direction, policies and ways of working.
Candidates for the 2017 GCCA Global NextGen Award were nominated by national refrigerated warehousing organizations to compete for the global award at the IARW-WFLO Convention. The other nominees in addition to Toogood included:
Francois Smith, Logistics Manager, Sequence Logistics, represented South Africa as the recipient of the 2016 Tony Lewis Cold Store Operator Award.
Graeme Lee, Polar Fresh Cold Chain Services, represented Australia as the 2016 recipient of the Frank Vale Award.
Cavan McKenna, Lowestoft Site General Manager, XPO Logistics, represented the United Kingdom as the 2017 UK Young Manager of the Year Award recipient.
“The cold storage industry is in good hands with the amount of talented young professionals around the world working to provide safe and quality food to a growing global population,” WFLO Immediate Past Chairman Fabio Fonseca, Friozem Armazens Frigorificos Ltda said. “Each of this year’s exceptional candidates represent our industry’s bright future. Their innovations will both grow and improve the temperature-controlled supply chain.”
As part of the selection process, each nominee was interviewed and judged by a panel of industry leaders from around the world. Candidates were evaluated on their knowledge level of the industry, track record of excellence, communication skills, and leadership skills. In addition, each candidate delivered a five-minute presentation to the panel of judges and the IARW-WFLO Convention attendees.
“This process has been incredibly rewarding for me,” Toogood said. “I am humbled to have had the opportunity to compete for this award with Cavan, Francois and Graeme – all of whom I have gotten to know very well over the past year and am excited to see the great contributions their careers will bring the industry.”
As the recipient of the GCCA Global NextGen award, Toogood will receive a travel stipend to attend a GCCA or GCCA partner event anywhere in the world in 2017 and was presented with an engraved 2017 GCCA Global NextGen award.
2016 NextGen Award Winner
Melissa Hunt (S&D Logistics Pty Ltd) Sydney, Australia – 2015 Frank Vale Award Winner
On Tuesday 19th April 2016, Melissa Hunt - Director of S&D Logistics in Australia, was named the winner of the second annual award during a general session of the 125th International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) and World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) Convention, held in Las Vegas from 16-19 April 2016.
The Global NextGen Award, developed by the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), recognizes outstanding young professionals in the world's cold chain industry, and Hunt represented Australia as the recipient of the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transportation Association of Australia's (RWTA) 2015 Frank Vale Award.
Now in its second year, the Global NextGen Award recognizes talented young professionals who have the potential to become future leaders and who are making a positive contribution to the development of the cold chain industry around the world. Finalists for the NextGen Award are recipients of international industry awards that recognize exceptional achievement by young professionals in the cold chain in a specific region or country. Among other eligibility requirements for the award, nominees had to demonstrate excellence in their work, the potential to excel further in the many facets within the industry, and possess insight into their organization's strategic values and direction, policies and ways of working.
Candidates for the 2016 NextGen Award were nominated by international refrigerated warehousing organisations to compete for the global award at the IARW-WFLO Convention & Expo.
The other nominees in addition to Hunt included, Colin Longmuir, Warehouse Manager, Henningsen Cold Storage Co., representing North America as the recipient of the 2016 World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) Don Schlimme Future Leader Award, and Kane Thomason, Logistics Solutions – Operations Manager, UK and Ireland for XPO Logistics represented the United Kingdom as the 2016 recipient of the UK Young Manager of the Year Award.
"It is so important to call attention to the talented young professionals that are coming up in the cold storage industry," said Greg Brandt, Immediate Past Chairman of WFLO and CEO of Nor-Am Cold Storage USA. "These nominees represent the future of our industry, and their ideas will usher in the next wave of innovations that enhance the movement of perishable products to consumers around the world."
As part of the selection process, each nominee was interviewed and judged by a panel of industry leaders from around the world. Candidates were evaluated on their knowledge level of the industry, track record of excellence, communication skills, and leadership skills. In addition, each candidate delivered a five-minute presentation to the panel of judges and the IARW-WFLO Convention attendees.
"It is a great honour to have been nominated for the GCCA’s Global NextGen Award," said Hunt. "To win the award after being up against two extremely talented individuals and become the first female recipient is very rewarding."
As the winner of the GCCA Global NextGen Award, Hunt will receive a travel stipend to attend a GCCA or GCCA partner event anywhere in the world during 2016, and she was presented with an engraved 2016 GCCA Global NextGen Award.
2015 “Inaugural” NextGen Award Winner
Joey Williams (Nordic Logistics & Warehousing, LLC) North America – 2015 IARW-WFLO Don Schlimme Future Leader Award
The presentation of the 2015 NextGen Award took place at the closing general session of the 124th International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) and World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) Convention & Expo held in Orlando, Florida USA from 26-30 April 2015.
The finalists for this the Inaugural NextGen Award were Ivan Sutic, Financial Director at Chilleweni Cold Storage, (represented South Africa as the first ever recipient of the South African Refrigerated Distribution Association’s (SARDA) Peter Worthington-Smith Award). Jeffrey Tusa, Project Manager, Polar Fresh Cold Chain Services as the 2014 Frank Vale Award recipient from the Refrigerated Warehouse and Transportation Association of Australia’s (RWTA), and representing North America was Joey Williams, recipient of the 2015 IARW-WFLO Don Schlimme Future Leader Award.
“I am continuously impressed by the quality and dedication that our young professionals exhibit in this industry,” said Frank Plant, Immediate Past Chairman of WFLO and President of San Diego Cold Storage. “This GCCA Global NextGen Award celebrates young professionals from around the world and the important role they and the entire cold storage industry play in providing safe and quality food to a growing global population.”
The NextGen Award was established in 2015 to annually acknowledge talented young professionals who have demonstrated to their employers their potential to become future leaders and make positive contributions to the development of the industry. Among other eligibility requirements for the award, nominees had to demonstrate excellence in their work, the potential to excel further in the many facets within the industry, and possess insight into their organization’s strategic values and direction, policies and ways of working.
As part of the selection process, each nominee was interviewed and judged by a panel of industry leaders from around the world. Candidates were judged on their knowledge level of the industry, track record of excellence, communication skills, and leadership skills. In addition, each candidate delivered a five-minute presentation to the panel of judges and the IARW-WFLO Convention attendees.
“This whole process has been a tremendously rewarding experience for me”, Williams commented. “To have the opportunity to compete for the NextGen Award with other young leaders from around the world like Ivan and Jeff is amazing and I look forward to see who follows in our footsteps”.
As the winner of the GCCA Global NextGen award, Williams received a travel stipend of up to $2,500 to attend a GCCA or GCCA partner event anywhere in the world in 2015- 2016 and was presented with an engraved 2015 GCCA Global NextGen Award Trophy.