Leading Industrial Property Management Across the Midwest: Meet Cynthia Vargas

Property management director Cynthia Vargas oversees warehouse and distribution center operations for Link Logistics’ Midwest industrial real estate portfolio. Managing spaces ranging from large-scale logistics facilities to flex warehouse properties, she guides her team in delivering exceptional industrial property management across key markets. Read on to learn how Cynthia approaches warehouse management and industrial property operations—and what keeps her busy outside the office.

How long have you been with Link Logistics and what's your current role as a property management director in industrial real estate?

Cynthia: I started at Link Logistics in August 2020 during the pandemic, working with third-party managers on day-to-day operations and industrial facility management. I was promoted to associate director, Property Management, in June 2021, and I was recently promoted to director, Property Management, for our Midwest portfolio. In my new role, I work closely with my three associate directors to guide our Property Management teams, support them when they need us, review their action plans for industrial assets, keep our customers happy and ensure we're following lease agreements. It's a role I'm learning as I go, but the transition has been easier because of the strong relationships we've built.

What industrial real estate markets and types of warehouse assets do you oversee?

Cynthia: I oversee the Lower Midwest industrial markets—Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee—and Upper Midwest industrial markets, which include Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. My portfolio has about 400 properties and approximately 920 customers across these strategic logistics markets. My team and I focus mainly on large-scale industrial properties—the big-box warehouse and distribution centers. In Minnesota, we also manage flex industrial buildings with smaller warehouse customers occupying between 2,000 and 4,000 square feet. 

What makes the Midwest such a strategic choice for warehouse and distribution operations?

Cynthia: Link Logistics’ Midwest portfolio is ideal for warehouse and distribution operations because our industrial properties position customers near major transportation interstates and rail hubs that help with the efficient movement of goods and merchandise through their supply chain operations. These logistics markets also provide significant benefits like access to skilled labor pools and competitive industrial real estate costs.

What do you find most rewarding about working in industrial real estate and warehouse property management?

Cynthia: For me, the most rewarding part about working in industrial real estate is building strong customer and vendor relationships across our warehouse portfolio. I love seeing our smaller mom-and-pop companies grow with our support in their logistics facilities. Managing large, high-value industrial properties and distribution centers also makes me proud. I drive by our properties and tell my kids or family members, "Hey, that’s one of our buildings!"

But personally, developing and leading my team members is what I enjoy most. I love mentoring my property managers and seeing them advance in their careers. We all started somewhere, and I've worked hard to grow within the industrial real estate industry. Property management for warehouse and logistics facilities is not for everyone, but those of us who are in it are in it for the long haul. We love our jobs.

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

Cynthia: I started back in the early 2000s when warehouses and industrial facilities were designed for bulk storage and business-to-business shipment. Now the e-commerce explosion has changed the entire game with the demand for last-mile locations. We also need to make sure we have warehouse space available quickly for customers. Everything is faster than it was when I started in warehouse management, with broader access to AI and automation in logistics facilities and property operations.

Which Link Logistics teams do you work with to support industrial property management?

Cynthia: Our Leasing, Regional Construction and Property Management teams all work together to make things happen across our industrial portfolio—from move-ins and large make-ready projects to replacing roofs and parking lots. Constant communication among our three teams paired with transparency and prompt action help us build great relationships with our customers because they learn to trust our property management approach. They know that we will deliver on our promises. 

What do you value most about Link Logistics' approach to industrial real estate and warehouse management?

Cynthia: At Link Logistics, we're always thinking about new ideas and ways to help our customers succeed in their logistics operations. We're a huge industrial real estate company, and we leverage our scale and vast network to connect customers across our portfolio. I like to call it “connecting the dots.” Link Logistics is also very focused on innovation and designing technology and processes that make things easier for employees and our customers. 

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

Cynthia: I love spending time with my family. I'm a mom of three kids who all play volleyball. We have volleyball tournaments on the weekends and our two dogs keep us busy, too. I also love to cook. My family and I spend a lot of time together making meals from scratch—everything from tamales to pozole to lasagna. It's all about making memories. My kids are going to grow up, so I want us to look back and laugh at these times together. That's Cynthia in a nutshell when I'm not at work managing teams and industrial properties. It's nonstop, but it's a full life.