Cool Times Podcast

David Aschenbrand from Newmark joins us for what starts as a standard industry conversation but transforms into something much more human. Dave's extensive cold storage background spans material handling systems, CH Robinson, Preferred Freezer Services, and Bridge Industrial before landing at Newmark's cold storage practice. But this episode really takes off when we discover Dave's been drumming in a band called The Ghost Rodents for decades and builds custom furniture in his spare time. We dive into war stories from measuring freezers with pencils, coordinating 25 containers a day during an egg crisis, and the philosophy of Zen Golf that guides his business approach. Dave also shares his market predictions, identifying 2027 as the recovery point and small bay buildings as the next opportunity. This conversation perfectly captures what makes our industry special — the fascinating humans behind the professional facades. ❄️ Cool Takeaways:- The Ghost Rodents Band Revelation — Dave reveals he's been drumming in a band for decades, completely transforming the conversation from professional to personal. Custom Furniture Craftsmanship — Beyond cold storage, Dave builds Adirondack chairs and massive China chests, showcasing his dedication to quality in everything he does. Epic Egg Crisis Management — During an avian flu outbreak, Dave coordinated importing French eggs through 25 containers daily without a single port penalty. Zen Golf Business Philosophy — Dave shares how mindfulness principles from golf translate to business problem-solving and professional resilience. Cold Storage Market Forecast — Analysis of the speculative building oversupply and prediction that normal market conditions return in 2027. Small Bay Building Opportunity — Identification of 15-25,000 square foot cold storage spaces as an underserved market for smaller food companies. First Freezer War Story — Dave's brutal initiation measuring a Winter Bread facility with pencils and tape measures in freezing conditions.Sponsored by: Vapor Armor Advanced vapor barrier systems designed to protect cold storage facilities from moisture and condensation. 🔗 www.vaporarmor.com Fastener Systems Inc. (FSI) High-performance fasteners and thermal solutions trusted across the cold storage industry. 👉 www.cooltimespodcast.com

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 broadcasting to leading BD in industrial and cold storage, Brenttnie shares how betting on herself — and diving into the unknown — led to a career she truly loves. We talk:- Her pivot from the Golf Channel and Miami Dolphins to construction Reeves Young’s growth and strategy in cold storage and industrial markets The grind of building trust in a new space — and finally hearing “yes” Women in construction: the wins, the challenges, and why the future looks bright And yes... we also unpack fantasy football, martinis, and a little Bama vs. Big Ten banter 🏈Whether you're a rising pro or a seasoned vet, this one’s full of insights, energy, and inspiration. Episode Highlights: ❄️ How Brenttnie found her calling in construction — without a plan B ❄️ Reeves Young’s footprint in the Southeast and cold storage expansion ❄️ What it takes to break into an industry that says “we’ve used the same GC for 25 years” ❄️ Why women are crushing it in construction (and what they uniquely bring to the table) ❄️ The impact of mentorship, community outreach, and giving back 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube — trust us, this one’s more fun with the visuals 👉 www.cooltimespodcast.com 🎯 Sponsored By: AFAB - Applied Fabricators 🔗 https://www.appliedfabricators.com/ Jamison Door Company 🔗https://jamisondoor.com/ #WomenInConstruction #ColdStorage #CoolTimesPodcast #ReevesYoung #MissionMattersMedia #FSI #IndustrialConstruction #BuildWithPurpose

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 about speculative cold storage growth. From brine refrigeration systems to raising industrial roofs, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and tactical advice for anyone in real estate, cold storage, or just trying to carve out their own niche. ❄️ Cool Takeaways: Find Your Niche – David shares the early days of his career and how a single cold storage listing launched a national specialty practice at CBRE. “Be Famous for Something” – A mentor’s advice that became a career-defining principle—and why standing out in your field matters more than ever. Cold Storage: Then vs. Now – From 17 available buildings in 2003 to national-level data tools today, hear how the game has changed (and what hasn't). Raising the Roof—Literally – David recalls a deal where they lifted the roof on a 1970s building to make space for a 33-degree cooler. Spec Builds & Market Nuance – Why cookie-cutter doesn't cut it, and how understanding tenant demand by region is critical in today's landscape. Mentorship & Data – David talks about building a team, training the next generation, and the real value of curated, industry-specific data. Bonus Wisdom – Want better sleep? Write down your stress. David's TED Talk dream is all about the power of rest and organization. 🎧 Listen to the episode: 👉 www.cooltimespodcast.com 🎯 Sponsored By: Rytec High Performance Doors 🔗 https://www.rytecdoors.com Versi-Foam by RHH Foam Systems Portable, easy-to-use spray foam kits for cold storage insulation and beyond. 🔗 https://www.rhhfoamsystems.com

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. Whether you're here for industry insights or relationship real talk, this one's for you. Cool Takeaways: ❄️ 2025 in One Word – For Jenna, it was refined; for Vince, release. Growth comes from both sharpening and letting go. ❄️ Leadership Lessons – Hard conversations matter. Vince and Jenna get candid about learning to lead better by addressing challenges head-on. ❄️ Promoting from Within – Vince shares why Freez Construction is doubling down on growing leaders internally instead of just hiring experience. ❄️ Industry Trends – Faster schedules and stricter safety standards are top of mind heading into 2026. ❄️ Podcast Highlights – From recording with Eric Finnerty to Josh Lewis' “world-class” mindset, Season 5 was packed with unforgettable guests. ❄️ The Burpee Challenge – Join the Cold Storage Nation 1,000 Burpees in January Challenge! Proceeds benefit pediatric cancer research in honor of Matt Brower’s son. ❄️ Reflections on Loss – After losing their longtime dog Sophie, Vince and Jenna talk about what it truly means to slow down and prioritize what matters most. ❄️ Looking Ahead – Exciting plans for ICON Cold, CEBA, and GCCA conferences. Plus, new guests, new products, and even more thermal talk coming in Season 6. Don’t miss this final episode of the year — equal parts business, personal, and inspiring. Catch the Season 5 wrap-up now at: 🎧 www.cooltimespodcast.com

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 challenge for charity, this episode proves that construction isn’t just about building buildings—it’s about building people, purpose, and partnerships. ❄️ Cool Takeaways:- From General Construction to Cold Chain – With 20+ years in construction, Matt found his cold storage calling in 2022 and has been scaling BCCG’s national presence ever since. BCCG’s Growth Strategy – As an employee-owned company, BCCG is expanding by focusing on culture, trust, and entering underserved regional markets. Culture-Driven Company – Matt shares how BCCG fosters a small-town, roll-up-your-sleeves vibe, prioritizing trust and teamwork over bureaucracy. Never Been to Court – A testament to BCCG’s integrity: they’ve never had a job go to litigation in company history. Rapid Response Payments – BCCG pays subcontractors within 48 hours of getting paid, building long-term loyalty and trust with partners. Field-First Mentality – Success is driven by the team on-site, and BCCG emphasizes investing in superintendents and project managers as the face of the company. Cold Storage Burpee Challenge – Matt and the Freeze team are launching a 1,000-burpee challenge in January to raise money for pediatric cancer. 💪 Genuine Relationships > Flashy Sales – Matt’s mantra: lead with honesty, serve with humility, and prioritize long-term partnerships over short-term gains.Sponsored by: Vapor Armour 🔗 www.vaporarmour.com Versi-Foam by RHH Foam Systems 🔗 https://www.rhhfoamsystems.com