In this dynamic episode, Vince and Jenna Free sit down with Thomas Gubbins, Director of Business Development, and Sean Doherty, Senior Project Manager, of Layton Construction to talk about building more than just cold storage facilities. From Sean's journey from owner to GC, to Thomas’ sports agency beginnings with Green Bay legends, the episode blends industry insight with some serious laughs.
The Layton team opens up about how they broke into the cold market, what sets them apart from other national builders, and how they’re pushing toward $100M+ in cold storage projects this year—all while keeping company culture and team relationships at the center of it all.
❄️ Cool Takeaways:
- Layton’s Cold Momentum – With over $100M in cold storage projects in 2025, Layton is quickly becoming a major national player.
- From NFL Players to RFPs – Thomas Gubbins’ unique background in sports marketing gives him a relationship-first edge in business development.
- Owner-Turned-Builder – Sean Dohorty brings a dual perspective from years at Cisco and a cold storage developer, now driving projects at Layton.
- Building with Intentionality – Layton’s cold storage success stems from building trust, hiring experienced teams, and focusing on predictable outcomes.
- National Reach, Local Feel – Though part of STO Group ($13B+), Layton offers a flat structure, flexible culture, and close access to leadership.
- Future-Focused Growth – Layton’s vision includes expanding across the Southeast and potentially opening a Texas office—driven by local demand and returning talent.
- Culture Over Everything – Whether it’s setting up camp in a trailer or celebrating team birthdays, Layton’s people-first mindset shows in everything they do.
Don’t miss this architecture-meets-cold-storage deep dive with one of the most passionate leaders in the biz. Chill out with the full episode at
🌐 www.cooltimespodcast.com
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