Our Leaders

Rob Chambers is Chief Executive Officer of Americold, a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics, real estate, and value-added services. In this role, he leads the company’s global strategy and operations, with a focus on delivering smarter, more sustainable supply chain solutions that help customers feed the world. 

Rob brings a solutions-first mindset to Americold’s leadership, blending operational precision with a deep commitment to people and partnerships – shaped by more than two decades of experience in logistics, finance, and supply chain strategy. His tenure has been defined by operational rigor, customer-centric growth, and a commitment to elevating the teams who power Americold’s global network. 

Over the past 12 years at Americold, Rob has held several key leadership roles, including President, President of the Americas, and Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer. He has been instrumental in shaping the company’s commercial strategy, global development, and customer-centric culture. 

Prior to Americold, Rob served as Chief Financial Officer at Saia, a publicly traded transportation logistics company. He also held leadership roles at CEVA Logistics and KPMG. 

Rob currently serves on the Board of the Global Cold Chain Alliance and the Stetson University School of Business. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Accounting from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.

Jay Wells serves as Americold’s Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer where he leads Americold’s global financial strategy and operation. Jay joined Americold as EVP and CFO in January 2024, bringing over 30 years of experience leading international financial teams and advising public companies.  

Jay blends strategic insight and operational rigor as a leader with experience as Before joining Americold in 2024, served as Chief Financial Officer from 2012 to 2023 at Primo Water (NYSE: PRMW), Chief Financial Officer of the Canada Division of Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE: TAP). Earlier in his career, he spent 15 years as a partner at Deloitte.  

Jay is a Certified Public Accountant and received his J.D. Degree from Villanova University and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Albright College.

Bryan Verbarendse serves as President, Americas at Americold, where he leads business development and operations across North and South America. In this role, he is responsible for developing deep customer relationships, driving regional performance, enhancing operational efficiency, and delivering exceptional service to customers throughout the Americas. 

Verbarendse joined Americold in August 2023 as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Americas, bringing more than 31 years of experience in the retail and wholesale grocery supply chain. Prior to Americold, he served as Senior Vice President of Distribution and Replenishment at Albertsons, and previously held roles as Group Vice President of Distribution and General Manager at both Albertsons and SUPERVALU. 

He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Boise State University.

Richard Winnall oversees Americold’s international operations, including Europe, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. He spearheads the integration of commercial and operational functions with a focus on optimizing supply chain operations and fostering strategic growth.  

Since joining Americold in January 2019 as Managing Director, International—with responsibility for Asia Pacific and Latin America—Richard advanced to Chief Operating Officer, International in August 2022 before assuming his current role in January 2024.  

Richard brings robust global logistics experience from some of the largest logistics companies in the world, having previously served at DHL Supply Chain (DPDHL Group) in Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Linfox in the Asia Pacific region. 

He holds a Master of Science Management, Intermodal Transport from the University of Denver, Colorado, and a Master of International Business from Swinburne University, Melbourne, and is a graduate of the GAICD International Company Directors Program.

Scott Henderson leads Americold’s investment and capital allocation activities as Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer. 

He was appointed to his current position in March 2023, after serving as Senior Vice President, Capital Markets, Treasury, and Investor Relations since joining the company in 2018. 

Scott has a strong foundation in the REIT sector, with previously held roles at SITE Centers, STAG Industrial, and Citizens Bank. He brings deep expertise in capital markets, corporate finance, and investor relations.  

Scott holds a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.

Nathan Harwell is Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Interim Chief Human Resources Officer at Americold. He also serves as the company’s Secretary, leading global legal, compliance, risk management, and HR functions that support Americold’s temperature-controlled logistics network. 

Nathan brings more than 20 years of in-house legal and executive experience across Fortune 100 and privately held companies in supply chain, transportation, medical devices, and manufacturing. He is known for building resilient legal departments, advising boards and executive teams, and driving strategic outcomes through business-aligned legal counsel. 

As interim CHRO, Nathan applies his deep understanding of organizational frameworks, ethics, and governance to support Americold’s people strategy. He is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion and a servant leader who fosters trust and collaboration across teams. 

Nathan holds a J.D. from Mercer University and a B.S. in Business Administration from Carson-Newman University.

Michael Spires leads Americold’s global information technology strategy and operations to provide customers the highest level of systems security and leading-edge supply chain technologies to support their business.   

He was appointed Chief Information Officer in December 2022 and brings over 20 years of executive-level technology leadership experience to Americold, having previously served in senior roles at The Hackett Group, Cognizant Technology Solutions, and Booz Allen Hamilton. 

Michael holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS in Finance from Bradley University.