NPFDA Convention 2023

Chief Executive Officer

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.

Founding Principal, President

Thomas joined RealtyLink in 2020 as Principal of RealtyLink of Atlanta. He established the blueprint for RealtyLink’s port-centric cold storage program and serves as a partner in the rapidly growing RL Cold enterprise specializing in cold storage development, including land acquisition, incentive negotiation, and leasing.

Thomas came to RealtyLink with over 20 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry. As Director of Real Estate for Aspen Dental, he was the leader of an aggressive new office expansion strategy in the Southeast and Midwest, where he produced over 350 new offices in seven years. Additionally, as Director of Real Estate for GameStop, he was responsible for over 560 new stores across 19 states in just under eight years. During his tenure with Jones Lang LaSalle, Thomas executed a comprehensive redevelopment plan for 10 regional malls over six years. He graduated from Kennesaw State University, where he obtained a B.B.A. in Economics.

Chief Strategy Officer

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 Strategy 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.

VP 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.

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.

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.

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).