The Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) and RLS Logistics are honored to announce the creation of the “Anthony M. Leo WFLO Scholarship.” In recognition of all of Tony’s contributions to the association and the industry, the scholarship will provide the opportunity for individuals working in the third-party cold chain logistics industry to participate in the three-year WFLO Institute training program.

“Before his passing in March 2021, Tony was a highly engaged member of the association serving as Treasurer of the IARW Board of Directors, participating on numerous committees, and presenting at events,” said Matthew R. Ott, President & CEO, GCCA. “He was a passionate advocate for training and educating the next generation of future cold chain leaders and it is our hope that this scholarship will allow his love of the industry to live on.”

The WFLO Institute is a four-day, industry-specific training program for professionals engaged in temperature-controlled logistics. The WFLO Institute attendees are tomorrow’s leaders and get to choose from more than 40 classes taught by leading experts giving them a 360-degree perspective on the cold chain logistics industry that can only be obtained at the WFLO Institute. Through the Anthony M. Leo WFLO Scholarship, one individual will be selected each year with RLS Logistics contributing funds to allow for a second scholarship to be awarded. The scholarship will cover registration fee and travel expenses. Nominees will be evaluated on their status as a high-performing professional member of your organization, attitude, leadership skills, and overall dedication to the industry as well as how the WFLO Institute will affect their ability to become a future leader in the industry.

Leo was a member of GCCA’s original Leadership Forum share group and always eager to share knowledge and bring challenges and solutions to the group for discussion. His GCCA Leadership Forum colleagues will be a part of the vetting process for the scholarship along with RLS Logistics representatives.

Lori Cogit, RLS Logistics

Andy Fisk, Lone Star Cold Storage

Bryan Hedge, RLS Complete

Jason Lafferty, SnoTemp

Charlie Newell, Minnesota Freezer Warehouse Company

Frank Plant, San Diego Refrigerated Services

Mike Pokel, Midwest Refrigerated

Tim Siddiq, MW Cold

The members of the GCCA Leadership Forum have also pledged to make individual/corporate introductory donations of over $10,000 total to launch the fund. To further assist the fund’s launch efforts and to honor Tony, the Michael and Trish McClendon Foundation will also be donating $10,000 in honor of Tony’s many years of service to the organization and the industry.

The program will be accepting nominations for the 2021 WFLO Institutes. To nominate an individual from your company for the scholarship or to make a donation, please visit: https://www.gcca.org/anthony-m-leo-wflo-scholarship

About the Global Cold Chain Alliance

Comprised of its Core Partners, including the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW), the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), the International Refrigerated Transportation Association (IRTA), and the Controlled Environment Building Association (CEBA), the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) represents all major industries engaged in temperature-controlled logistics. GCCA unites all partners to be innovative leaders in the temperature-controlled products industry. For more information, visit: www.GCCA.org or contact mrodgers@gcca.org.

About Tony Leo

The Global Cold Chain community lost a valued and respected leader – Anthony (Tony) Michael Leo, CEO of RLS Logistics, on March 11, 2021. He was active in the business community and local charities and was serving on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) at the time of his passing. As CEO of RLS Logistics, Warehouse Group, Tony was instrumental in helping RLS Logistics become one of the largest family-owned cold chain logistics providers in the Northeast. Devoted husband and father, Tony enjoyed bringing his family to various business events all around the world. His sense of humor and wit was enjoyed by family and friends alike. Tony was well respected by his industry peers and colleagues. He truly loved nothing more than spending time with his family and working on the growth of the family business.