Lineage Logistics LLC, a temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics company backed by Bay Grove Capital LLC, announced June 18 that logistics and transportation veteran W. Gregory Lehmkuhl will become its new chief executive officer, effective mid-July. Current CEO Bill Hendricksen will transition into the role of vice chairman at that time.

During the last six years, Colton, CA-based Lineage has grown into one of the largest temperature-controlled logistics companies globally. Lehmkuhl becomes CEO as the company moves into its next phase of growth and works to further expand its comprehensive cold chain solutions for customers.

“Greg is a skilled leader with a stellar reputation in the logistics industry for driving growth,” Adam Forste, co-chairman of Lineage Logistics and managing director of Bay Grove, said in a statement. “He has the energy and the experience to fulfill our vision of becoming the world’s most dynamic temperature-controlled logistics company.”

Lehmkuhl comes to Lineage from Con-way Inc., where he was corporate executive vice president and president of Con-Way Freight Inc., Con-Way’s less-than-truckload motor carrier and largest subsidiary. In those roles, he had responsibility for overall company operating and financial performance, strategic planning and business plan development, and direction of the company’s continuous improvement processes.

“I’m thrilled to join Lineage, to work with a talented team of supply chain professionals and to partner with Bay Grove,” Lehmkuhl said in a press release. “We have an exciting opportunity to leverage our vast warehouse network and broad value-added services in combination with new technologies to create something truly differentiated in the temperature-controlled logistics industry for customers.”

After more than 35 years as an entrepreneur and leader in the cold chain industry, Hendricksen, as vice chairman of Lineage, will continue to help support key customer relationships, ongoing strategy development and Lineage’s participation in industry groups and boards.

“On behalf of the board, we thank Bill for his immeasurable contributions to Lineage,” Kevin Marchetti, co-chairman of Lineage and managing director of Bay Grove. “We are pleased that the company will continue to benefit from his expertise and wisdom in his new role.”

“My decision to step down earlier this year was based on finding the right person to take Lineage into the future,” said Hendricksen. “Every company has different stages of growth, and each stage requires a CEO with specific skill sets. Greg is an exceptional leader who has expertise integrating and transforming growing companies and possesses the character to inspire our team. I’m excited to help support Greg and Lineage for many years to come.”