Brian Lynch has joined the Arlington, Virginia, USA-headquartered Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) as senior vice president of business development and member programs, effective July 6. He brings 20 years of food industry trade association experience to the job, having previously worked with the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA), National Grocers Association (NGA), and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) in the United States.
“It’s an honor to join GCCA and serve this essential and innovative segment of the global supply chain during this unprecedented time of accelerating change and opportunity,” said Lynch. “I look forward to collaborating with core partner members and GCCA’s talented team in enhancing the cold chain’s leadership role in providing a safe and reliable food supply around the globe.”
Reporting directly to GCCA President and CEO Matthew Ott, he will oversee the creation and enhancement of all non-dues revenue-producing programs and services that benefit the organization’s 1,300 member companies in 85 countries. These include market research and intelligence, the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO) Institute, WFLO Scientific Advisory Council, certification programs such as Energy Excellence and the Certified Cold Carrier program, and all events, including the GCCA Cold Chain Conference & Expo, IARW-WFLO Convention, Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA) Conference & Expo, and the GCCA Cold Chain Policy Forum.
“Meanwhile, GCCA veterans Megan Costello and Lowell Randel have been promoted. Costello, former chief operating officer, is now executive vice president and chief of staff. In addition to overseeing the organization’s operations for much of the past seven years, she has also played a key role in membership and international program growth.
Randel has been elevated to senior vice president of government and legal affairs. He has been with the association for 11 years, has long led the organization’s government relations initiatives and most recently served as its spokesperson on all matters related to the Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.
“Both Megan and Lowell have been vital GCCA members and have played a significant role in ensuring that our members and partners across the world have received exceptional service,” said Ott. “Their insight will be vital to our executive team as we continue to enhance member value across all programs and initiatives and assist our member’s efforts to provide people across the world with access to the safest, highest quality food possible.”