Cool Times Podcast

In this high-energy and no-BS episode, Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Hector Castro, leader of the cold storage division at BELDON ROOFING, to talk about what it really takes to build cold storage facilities the right way. From his early days learning roofing on the job site to leading one of the most respected teams in the industry, Hector shares why integrity, mentorship, and doing things right the first time still matter—now...

Welcome back to Cool Times — where we talk all things cool in the cold storage construction world. And this week, we’re celebrating one of our favorite things: Women in Construction Month (yes, we’re claiming the whole month 🔥).

In this episode, we’re joined by Brenttnie Smith, Business Development Lead at Reeves Young, who proves that the road into construction doesn’t have to be traditional to be powerful. From sports broadcastin...

In this episode of Cool Times, Jenna and Vince sit down with David Sours, Senior Vice President at CBRE, for a deep dive into the evolution of cold storage real estate—and how one man’s obsession with buildings turned into a national platform.

With 23 years at CBRE and a reputation for being famous for something, David unpacks how he became a go-to expert in refrigerated warehousing, why mentors matter, and what the data really says...

In this heartfelt and unfiltered episode, Vince and Jenna Free close out Season 5 of The Cool Times Podcast with an honest recap of 2025 and their hopes for 2026. From industry lessons and personal growth to podcast highlights and burpee challenges, the dynamic duo reflects on the wins, the hard leadership moments, and what it really means to slow down. Plus, they announce a special Cold Storage Nation challenge that gives back.

In this heartwarming and insightful episode, Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Matt Brower, VP of Development at BCCG, to talk about playing the long game in cold storage construction. Matt shares his journey from general construction into the cold space, how BCCG is growing as an ESOP-driven company, and why culture and trust are the cornerstones of their client relationships.

From leadership lessons to launching a burpee challeng...

In this laid-back and info-packed episode, Vince and Jenna Free welcome Glen Oltmanns Vice President at Senneca Holdings at Senneca Holdings—and longtime friend of the show. Glen shares his decades of experience in cold storage construction and door solutions, unpacking how Senneca’s portfolio of brands has evolved and adapted with the industry.

From traffic doors to high-performance insulated doors, Glen walks us through how Seneca...

In this dynamic episode, Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Thomas Gubbins, Director of Business Development, and Sean Doherty, Senior Project Manager, of Layton Construction to talk about building more than just cold storage facilities. From Sean's journey from owner to GC, to Thomas’ sports agency beginnings with Green Bay legends, the episode blends industry insight with some serious laughs.

The Layton team opens up about how the...

In this high-energy episode, Vince and Jenna Free dive into the fascinating world of cold storage automation with Alex Reed, Sales Director at Swisslog. From high-bay warehouses to software-powered solutions, Alex breaks down how Swisslog has been revolutionizing automation in the cold chain—especially in challenging environments like deep freeze. With 125 years of experience, Swisslog is no rookie, and Alex shares stories that are...

After over two years in the making, Brian Benson finally joins Vince and Jenna in the studio—and the wait was worth it. As Director of Solutions Engineering at Voxel, Brian brings a wealth of experience from his decades in cold storage, combined with cutting-edge AI technology designed to make warehouses safer and smarter. From managing one of the most dangerous warehouses in the western U.S. to partnering with Voxel to prevent inj...

In this episode of the Cool Times Podcast, hosts Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Jeremy Bentley, Director of Architecture at Power Construction's Cold and Food Group. Jeremy shares his journey from Lincoln Logs to leading some of the industry’s most innovative cold storage designs. With nearly two decades of experience—starting with United Insulated Structures and now shaping the future at Power—Jeremy offers deep insights into ...

In Part 2 of this Cool Times Podcast special, hosts Vince and Jenna Free dig deeper with Eric Finnerty, President and CEO of Vapor Armor, to get into the science, skepticism, and energy savings that make his system so revolutionary. Eric breaks down how Vapor Armor challenges conventional thermodynamics, why traditional frost ribbon details fall short, and how a properly designed perimeter seal can save customers millions.

From deba...

In Part 1 of this two-part Cool Times Podcast special, Vince and Jenna sit down with Eric Finnerty, President and CEO of Vapor Armor, to unpack the origin story of one of the cold storage industry’s most impactful innovations. Known across the industry as “The Beard,” Eric shares how a roof failure and a bold idea launched Vapor Armor, a company now synonymous with ice-free cold storage and cutting-edge vapor barrier solutions.

From...

Get ready for a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and loyalty in cold storage construction. Vince and Jenna welcome back industry legend and now author Bret Wedding, EVP at Fricks, to talk about his new book Not a Commodity: A True Story of Relational Leadership. With humor, heart, and honesty, Brett shares powerful lessons from the battlefield to the boardroom—reminding us that trust, care, and character are what truly set busine...

In this insightful and entertaining episode, Vince and Jenna sit down with Michael Cody, Director of Industrial Cold and Food at Ware Malcomb, to dig deep into the world of cold storage design. From industry collaboration and field-grown teams to next-gen detail innovation (like the soon-to-be-patented expansion joint lid detail), Michael shares what makes great architectural work in cold storage tick. Plus, we dive into 3D printin...

In this fun and insightful episode, Vince and Jenna sit down in-studio with Marko Dzeletovich, founder of ColdBox Builders, and his son Max to talk about legacy, leadership, and how ColdBox became one of the most respected names in cold storage construction. Marko shares the story of scaling the company through explosive growth, why culture always beats cash, and how to keep things cool—even through the chaos. Max jumps in with fre...

In this fun and insightful episode, Vince and Jenna sit down with Sean Gilbert of Saxum Real Estate to talk about how Saxum went from boutique developments to becoming a national leader in cold storage and food processing facilities. Sean shares how strategic focus, smart partnerships (like with Arcadia Cold), and a commitment to team culture helped Saxum scale to over $3 billion in assets. From beard-growing tactics to real estate...

In this episode of Cool Times Podcast, Vince and Jenna Free welcome back Brian Lynch for a deep dive into everything happening at CEBA (Controlled Environment Building Association) and the broader GCCA (Global Cold Chain Alliance). Brian shares key updates, insights into strategic growth, member benefits, upcoming events, and how CEBA is shaping the future of controlled environment building through collaboration, education, and lea...

In this special episode of Cool Times Podcast, host Vince Free sits down with his wife, Jenna Free, COO of Freez Construction, to celebrate Women in Construction Week and discuss the evolving landscape for women in the industry. They share personal stories, insights into leadership and business growth, and the progress made in increasing female representation in construction. Jenna reflects on her upbringing in the industry, her le...