About Houston Refridgerated Logistics

Dennis Carroll is the President and Co-Founder of Houston Refrigerated Logistics and Houston Refrigerated Trucking. With more than 35 years of experience in the transportation and produce industries, Dennis has built his career around a deep understanding of logistics, supply chain operations, and the unique demands of the fresh produce market.

Dennis began his career in transportation after earning his CDL at a young age, working as a driver on both local and national routes. His time on the road gave him firsthand knowledge of the transportation industry and laid the foundation for his future in logistics. He later transitioned into transportation brokerage and became increasingly involved in the transportation of fresh-cut produce, where he developed a strong passion for the produce supply chain.

After several years working within the fresh-cut produce sector, Dennis moved into produce storage and transportation procurement. During this time, he recognized a growing need for more reliable and specialized logistics services within the produce industry. In August 2014, Dennis and business partner Jeff Martinez founded Houston Refrigerated Logistics and Houston Refrigerated Trucking to meet that demand.

Today, Dennis remains actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the company and continues to guide its growth and direction. His leadership philosophy is built around a simple principle: “We say what we do, and do what we say.” This commitment to reliability and integrity continues to shape the company’s culture and relationships with customers and partners.

Dennis lives in the Houston area with his wife Julie and their son Cole. Outside of work, he enjoys boating, fishing, hunting, golfing, and cheering on his Iowa Hawkeyes. He’s also an accomplished woodworker and enjoys making fine furniture and other wood projects.

Tim Carroll serves as Vice President at Houston Refrigerated Logistics, where he helps lead the company’s operational strategy, customer partnerships, and continued growth within the temperature-controlled produce transportation industry.

A graduate of Norwalk High School (2001), Tim began his professional career in the personal finance and collections industry before pursuing higher education to expand his business expertise. In 2012, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Business Finance. Following graduation, Tim built leadership experience in the call center and operations sector, where he developed a strong background in team leadership, operational efficiency, and customer service.

Tim joined Houston Refrigerated Logistics in February 2019 as Director of Business Operations and has since played a key role in strengthening the company’s operations, service reliability, and long-term customer relationships within the refrigerated produce transportation market.

In addition to his executive leadership role, Tim serves as the company’s Safety Manager for its Primus food safety program, overseeing compliance standards and audit readiness across the organization. Under his leadership, the company has achieved a 99% compliance rating for three consecutive years, demonstrating a strong commitment to food safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence in the produce supply chain.

Tim lives in Iowa with his wife, Sarah, and their three children. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking and smoking BBQ, following sports—especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and Houston Astros—and spending time outdoors with his family.

Julie Carroll serves as Chief Financial Officer for Houston Refrigerated Logistics and Houston Refrigerated Trucking, where she oversees the financial operations and accounting functions for both organizations.

Julie has been with the companies since their founding and has played an important role in building and managing the financial infrastructure that supports their continued growth. After completing college, she began her career in accounting and gained experience across multiple roles before entering the transportation, logistics, produce, and warehousing industries.

In her role as CFO, Julie oversees all accounting operations including billing, accounts receivable and payable, driver settlements, financial reporting, and overall financial management for the organization. Her attention to detail and strong work ethic help ensure the financial stability and operational efficiency of both companies.

Julie is known for her dedication, reliability, and ability to manage the fast-paced demands of the transportation and logistics industry. Her commitment to the organization and its team members has made her a key part of the company’s leadership since its inception.

Julio Zarate serves as General Manager at Houston Refrigerated Logistics, where he oversees day-to-day warehouse operations and plays a critical role in ensuring efficiency, product quality, and operational consistency across the company’s Houston facilities.

Julio joined the HRL team in December 2014 and has become an integral part of the organization’s success. With more than 20 years of experience in the produce industry, he has built a strong reputation for his operational knowledge and leadership within the warehouse and logistics environment. Over the years, Julio has advanced through the company, beginning in warehouse operations and earning promotions to Warehouse Manager and later Operations Manager before assuming his current role as General Manager.

In his role, Julio oversees all warehouse operations including product receiving and shipping, inventory management, repacking and re-grading of produce, equipment oversight, and employee scheduling. He also works closely with the company’s safety and food safety teams, helping maintain the high operational and compliance standards expected within the produce supply chain.

Julio is known for his hands-on leadership style and commitment to ensuring operations run smoothly across all aspects of the warehouse. His experience and attention to detail make him a key leader within the organization.

Outside of work, Julio enjoys watching the Houston Texans and following his true passion—soccer. He is the proud father to his four children and enjoys spending his free time with his family.