Jul 18, 2011 10:30 AM

Brian Abel

The International Refrigerated Transportation Association (IRTA) has named Brian Abel, vice-president of operations for Howell’s Motor Freight Inc, the recipient of the IRTA Executive of the Year Award. This award was presented during the American Frozen Food Institute-Global Cold Chain Alliance (AFFI-GCCA) Food Logistics Forum in Denver CO recently.

IRTA is a Core Partner of the GCCA, which represents all major industries engaged in temperature-controlled logistics.

The annual award recognizes an individual in the refrigerated transportation industry who has made a significant contribution to the industry by fostering innovation, resolving industry issues, or improving the industry’s image and efficiency.

Abel was recognized for his ability to creatively respond to trends and changes in the refrigerated trucking industry and his willingness to share his expertise with other members of IRTA.

“He’s very good at taking changes in the transportation world and translating them into real-world applications,” said IRTA board member Bill Sanford (vice-president of sales, Howell’s Motor Freight). “What you read in the news is important, but what you really need to know is how it will affect your business.”

Abel is a faculty member at the World Food Logistics Organization Institute program, which is a training program for the refrigerated warehousing industry.

His career spans 37 years, beginning with Roadway Express in the Chicago IL area. Abel currently works for Howell’s Motor Freight, a temperature-controlled trucking and warehousing company headquartered in Roanoke VA.