LOGISTICS BRIEFS: International Refrigerated Transportation Association (IRTA) directors voted for Gary Kelly, senior director of transportation & distribution at Schwan's Logistics LLC, as IRTA's 2008-09 "Executive of the Year." Kelly will receive the award during a IRTA's annual convention -- co-sponsored by the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses and World Food Logistics Organization -- this March 28-April 2 in Palm Springs, Calif. A nine-year veteran at Schwan Food Company, Kelly is responsible for logistics efficiencies within Schwan's physical distribution, transportation, inventory management and order fulfillment functions. IRTA (irta.org) represents the companies involved several global refrigerated transportation industries. . . . Rack equipment supplier BASE Manufacturing, Monroe, Ga., is merging with Boston Rack International Inc., a North Easton, Mass., specialist in material handling systems intregration. Both businesses will retain their brand identities as subsidiaries of a holding company, Elite Storage Solutions.