North America

Two U.S. Industrial Trade Groups – GCCA and IIAR – Have New Presidents

Two major U.S. industrial trade groups – located about 10 miles part in northeast Virginia – have selected new presidents.

Last week, Arlington, Virginia-based Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) named Matthew Ott as its new President & CEO. Ott will assume his role on June 1, succeeding outgoing President & CEO, Corey Rosenbusch, who left the association earlier this year to become President & CEO of The Fertilizer Institute.

Ott’s appointment follows the announcement that Gary Schrift was named President of the Alexandria, Virginia-based International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR), a position he assumed April 1. He succeeds Dave Rule.

Ott previously spent nine years at the National Grocers Association (NGA), most recently serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer as well as Executive Director of the NGA Foundation. 

“GCCA is a vibrant global association at the forefront of one of the most critical industries in the world – the perishable food supply chain,” said Ott in a statement. “I look forward to working with the staff and members on advancing the organization and industry forward during this time of unprecedented change.”

“Matt will provide strong leadership as we continue to address the strategic priorities of the membership and meet the evolving needs of our industry,” said Andrew B. Janson, Chairman of the Search Committee and Immediate Past Chairman of the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW), one of four Core Partners of GCCA.

At IIAR, Schrift brings 32 years of industry experience to the organization, where he participated as a member and has been serving as executive vice president. “I understand the dynamics of the industry and how we all work together,” he said in a statement.“I want to expand upon the current services we provide and establish even greater efficiency within the organization, creating even more value for our members.”

Schrift previously spent more than 19 years with the GEA Group, where he held various positions in operations, executive, change, claims and project management. 

GCCA is a vibrant global association at the forefront of one of the most critical industries in the world – the perishable food supply chain.

Matthew Ott, GCCA