The World Food Logistics Organization, a Global Cold Chain Alliance partner, recently named Tamara Palefsky the winner of its 2021 Don Schlimme Future Leader Award.
Palefsky is the continuous improvement manager for United States Cold Storage.
The award was presented by Daniel Kaplan, WFLO Chairman, and Ron Buford, IARW Chairman, at the 130th Annual IARW-WFLO Convention in Austin, Texas, where more than 400 temperature-controlled logistics executive leaders gathered for the temperature-controlled warehousing, logistics, transportation, and design-build/construction industry event.
“It’s an honor to win this prestigious award and to have competed with such an impressive group of my peers,” Palefsky said. “I’m excited to participate in the Next Gen Future Leader Award Competition and continue my career in the cold chain industry.”
Finalists for the award included Eric Geiger, Americold Logistics warehouse manager; Emily Goracke, SnoTemp Cold Storage customer account manager; Colt Miller, Mattingly Cold Storage warehouse supervisor; and Troy Stokes, Lineage Logistics senior project manager. As part of the selection process, each finalist was interviewed by a panel of judges made up of industry leaders. Each candidate also delivered a presentation on stage to the panel of judges and the attendees of the IARW-WFLO Convention.
A final award recipient was identified as a result of the selection process.
Now Palefsky will virtually compete against other young leaders from around the world for the global GCCA NextGen Award later this year.
“The talent, dedication, and quality of the emerging leaders within the cold chain continues to be so impressive and this award highlights some of the best in our industry,” said Matthew Ott, GCCA president and CEO. “Tamara and her fellow competitors are excellent examples of the bright future of the cold chain industry has to continue to innovate and adapt to meet the needs of a growing global population.
“Congratulations to Tamara and to all the finalists for this well-deserved achievement.”
Established in 2015 by WFLO, the Don Schlimme Future Leader Award recognizes talented young professionals in North America, who have the potential to become future leaders and make a positive contribution to the development of the temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics industry. Nominees demonstrated excellence in their work, the potential to excel further in the many facets within the industry and possess insight into their organization’s strategic values and direction, policies and ways of working.
The award is named in honor of Donald V. Schlimme, Ph.D., who passed away in 2012 and was a longtime member of the WFLO Scientific Advisory Committee (1983-2012) and a WFLO staff advisor for many of those years. He was an expert in food science and cold storage and was committed to sharing his extensive knowledge.
