ELIZABETH, NJ -East Coast Warehouse & Distribution, a leading temperature-controlled logistics provider located on the Port of New York/New Jersey and in Philadelphia, has named former Amazon Manager and US Army Captain, Rafael Varela, Senior Director of Warehouse Operations. In this role, Rafael will have responsibility for warehouse operations on both New Jersey campuses in Elizabeth and Jersey City, as well as the company’s co-pack, inventory, safety and quality teams. “As we continue to grow and expand our footprint and service offering, it’s imperative we maintain a strong team led by smart executives,” said East Coast Warehouse CEO Jamie Overley. “This announcement signifies the continuance of our corporate strategy of adding executives to our ranks that have demonstrated excellence both personally and professionally. Rafael Varela’s background and experience dovetails perfectly with our strategy and we’re thrilled to have him on board.” A former U.S. Army Captain, Rafael has held senior leadership positions with Amazon, Cardinal Health and Cintas. He specializes in employee development, leadership, contract negotiation, customer retention and delivering on financial goals. Rafael graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.