Industrial Property Management Across the Northeast: Frank Alesso on Logistics Real Estate Operations

Frank Alesso, director of Property Management for Link Logistics in the northeastern U.S., brings over 30 years of commercial real estate experience to warehouses and distribution centers across key industrial markets. From overseeing day-to-day operations at e-commerce fulfillment centers to supporting complex development projects, Frank's leadership helps keep Link Logistics' industrial real estate portfolio running smoothly. Read on to learn about Frank’s job, family life and what makes the Northeast such a vital hub for logistics operations.

When did you join the Link Logistics team and what are your primary responsibilities in industrial property management?

Frank: I joined Link Logistics in December 2019 following Blackstone's acquisition of Colony Industrial. As a director of Property Management for the Northeast, I oversee warehouse and distribution center operations across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. I manage a team of about 11 property managers handling building improvements and repairs for our logistics facilities, as well as standard maintenance, operating expenses, lease administration and finances for our industrial properties.

What makes the Northeast a great choice for businesses seeking warehouse and distribution center space?

Frank: Location, location, location. New Jersey is the densest state by population and sits at the heart of the tri-state area with access to one of the nation's largest ports. The Lehigh Valley is another significant industrial real estate market—it's probably the area where logistics and e-commerce are the largest employers. The I-81 corridor through Harrisburg and Western Pennsylvania is ideal for larger distribution centers and fulfillment facilities, while the Boston market supports last-mile delivery to the greater New England population. The region’s proximity to major East Coast cities, robust highway infrastructure, strong workforce availability and strategic positioning make it essential for warehouse and logistics operations.

How have you seen the warehouse and logistics sector change over time?

Frank: E-commerce and online shopping have completely transformed the commercial real estate industry. Construction of modern warehouses and distribution centers has changed significantly—they're now being built closer to urban areas to support last-mile delivery. Higher clear heights have become the new standard, and customers increasingly value industrial buildings with expanded electrical power capabilities, infrastructure for high-tech warehouse operations, and adherence to sustainability standards like LEED certification. As another example of change, industrial buildings from the 1960s and 1970s were built with concrete blocks and brick veneer, but now everything's made using tilt-up construction and precast concrete. We’re developing smarter logistics real estate designed for modern operations.

Who do you work with most closely at Link Logistics to serve customers?

Frank: My team and I work primarily with our entire northeast Property Management team, but we intersect daily—if not hourly—with Construction, Development and Leasing team members, as well as Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis and Integrated Services colleagues. We work very closely as a unit to provide first-class service to our warehouse and logistics customers. The positive collaboration across our internal teams helps build strong relationships with our customers so they trust us as reliable partners.

How would you describe Link Logistics’ work culture?

Frank: Link Logistics has a supportive workplace, and the company clearly values its employees. Senior management is approachable and responsive, and there's always an open-door policy if we have any questions for them. Comparing water cooler conversations with our peers in the real estate industry, Link Logistics definitely stands out for the technology, tools and systems that we develop. Our firm’s investment in people and resources keeps us motivated and loyal to the Link Logistics brand.

When you're not thinking about warehouses, what are you doing?

Frank: I'm a big family guy. I have an awesome wife and spend a lot of time with her and my children. Our weekends revolve around dining and pairing wines with meals, especially local wines from the European regions we've visited. I'm also a big sports guy. I coach youth hockey throughout the winter and then I golf and hike for the rest of the year.