For all of our agents, business capacity owners, carriers and customers in the path of the storm, stay safe and take precautions. Everyone at Landstar is thinking of you.

Please put safety first, follow state and federal advisories, and monitor official websites that provide information and resources about storm preparations, response and recovery:

• State Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) https://www.fema.gov/
• National Hurricane Center https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

BCOs are also advised to monitor the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/ and pay close attention to local weather conditions.

Agents should be aware that some loads may be affected by restricted travel routes or delayed due to weather and road conditions.

Landstar is not expecting any disruption in service at its Jacksonville service center due to Hurricane Florence or other storms that are currently approaching the East Coast. In the event that customers cannot reach an agent in the storm path, they should be advised to call Landstar Customer Service at 800-241-0263.

Thank you and please stay safe.

Announcing the 2018 July & August Star of Quality Award Winners

Landstar’s Star of Quality Award is awarded to members of the Landstar family who have been recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty. Deserving business capacity owners (BCOs), operators and agents receive bronze, silver, gold or platinum lapel pins recognizing their extra efforts and dedication to service.

The outstanding efforts by these professional men and women earned them a Landstar Star of Quality Award for July and August. Our thanks and praise to the following Landstar owner-operators and agents who represent the best in the freight transportation industry.

Gold:

Bill E. Ater Jr.*, Billy Joe Bivins, Calvin A. Brown*, Jonathan Brown, Miriam Brown, Gregory Lee Huggins*, Mark D. Lovell*, William F. Nalett III, Dale G. Reuman, Yasmany Vidal Ruiz, Juan Urbina

*Going Beyond the Gold – recipients have received multiple Gold Star awards.

Silver:

Larry C. Briggs, David Daft, Jewell Daft, Calvin D. Elliott, Eliseo Godina, John E. Hinckley, Teddy McCullough, Thomas E. McGuire, Tibor V. Mody, Ray Russell Parker, Derrick Wayne Preston, Jesus Rodriguez, John Francis Sharlow Jr., Piotr Szkoda, Todd Taggart, Brian Scott Yoder

Bronze:

John Glenwood Berlier, Dennis W. Brandt, Judith Byerly, Martin C. Byerly, Segundo Dela Cerda, Donald Jeffery Chaffins, Marlon Zane Cochran, Timothy Shyne Craycraft, Bob Davidson, Kevin Davidson, Juan Davila, Shawn C. Duke, Billy R. Elder, Gary D. Foster, Jerome Gaddy, Richard Gamboa Sr., Robert “Sandy” Grimes Sr., Cheryl Ann Inman, Vincent Leon Jackson, Brady Jones, Charles William Kelly III, Olubunmi Emmanuel “Kesh” Keshinro, Raul Martinez, Marcus Derwin McCoy, Raymond Howard Metz, Tibor V. Mody, Giuseppe Nardi, Christopher Lee Pelletier, Jeff J. Pelletier, Montresa Perkins, Duriel Jovan Pittman, Tonya Mae Pomeroy, Bryan Ragin, Isid Rene Roman Viloria Sr., Oscar Roman, Lando Ferrill Russell, Tammy Jean Sharlow, Kulpreet Singh, Zenoviu “Tavi” Sirbu, David Weldon Smith, Dale E. Spicer, Robert Lee Wade III, Asti Montelle Watkins, Norman S. Watson, Lisa Dawn Yoder, Brian K. Young

If you would like to nominate a Landstar agent or owner-operator for a Star of Quality Award, email: StarQ@Landstar.com

After three decades in business, a glance in the rear view mirror reveals Landstar has passed many significant “mile markers” along the company’s steady course as an industry leader on the road to success.

1. Landstar was formed in 1988.
2. Landstar has held a Safety Thursday Conference Call every month since 1991 – that’s 27 years!
3. Landstar became a publically traded company – listed on NASDAQ in 1993.
4. Landstar created the term business capacity owner (BCO) to describe the company’s independent truck owner-operators.
5. Landstar began presenting the Roadstar® honor to BCOs in 1990. Since then, 469 men and women have earned Roadstar status.
6. Landstar’s Star of Quality Award program, which honors those who go above and beyond, started in 1993. More than 8,000 stars have been awarded to Landstar agents and BCOs.
7. Since the Landstar Scholarship Fund was created in 1995, 334 students have received a share of $802,000 in funds from Landstar.
8. Landstar has given away 38 semi-trucks to business capacity owners since 1994.
9. In 1997, Landstar moved its headquarters to Jacksonville, Florida.
10. In 1998, Landstar began requiring all owner-operators to become hazmat certified.
11. Landstar’s award-winning The Road to Success® magazine was first published in 1999.
12. The “swoosh” around the star in Landstar’s logo represents the road to success.
13. Landstar introduced the first cellphone accessible load board in the industry in 2000.
14. The first celebration honoring Million Mile Safe Drivers was a banquet held in 2001.
15. There are currently 1,060 active Million Mile Safe Drivers at Landstar – that includes two, three and four million mile safe drivers.
16. In 2003, Landstar celebrated the first independent Landstar agent to exceed $100 million in revenue.
17. The first Landstar BCO to achieve 4 million safe miles was Jerry Travis. He reached this milestone in 2004.
18. The BCO Benevolence Fund was founded by Landstar in 2005 to distribute financial assistance to qualified BCOs.
19. Since its creation, the Landstar BCO Benevolence Fund has provided financial assistance to 388 BCOs.
20. Landstar Canada was formed in 2007.
21. More than 55 percent of Landstar’s employees have been with the company for 10+ years.
22. Landstar has many longtime employees. In fact, the record of 51 years (and counting) is held by Nancy Brown.
23. Through the military’s Training with the Industry program, each year a captain with the U.S. Army spends 12 months shadowing Landstar’s government services team to learn about commercial logistics.
24. Landstar created and launched the Landstar Maximizer® mobile app in 2017 to help BCOs find multileg runs.
25. In 2017, Pricing Tools and Agent Analytics were created and designed to help independent agents grow their Landstar agencies.
26. 542 independent Landstar agents reached $1+ million in revenue in 2017.*
27. Landstar opened its state-of-the-art cross-border logistics center in Laredo, Texas, in 2017.
28. Landstar hauled more than 1,903,000 loads in 2017.*
29. 2018 – More than 10,000 trucks are provided by BCOs.*
30. Landstar is a $3.6 billion company – and growing!*

*Information provided is based on Landstar’s 2017 Form 10K.

September 2018 Star of Quality recipients

Each month deserving business capacity owners (BCOs), operators and agents earn Landstar’s Star of Quality Award. The award, for members of the Landstar family who go above and beyond the call of duty, recognizes those extra efforts and dedication to providing outstanding transportation services.

The efforts by these professional men and women throughout September earned them a Landstar Star of Quality Award. Our thanks and praise to the following Landstar owner-operators and agents who represent the best in the freight transportation industry.

Gold:

Marlaina Gayle Betnaza, Dustin Jones*, Gregory M. Kinch, Derrick Wayne Preston, Zenoviu “Tavi” O. Sirbu, Clyde Thompson

*Going Beyond the Gold – recipients have received multiple Gold Star awards.

Silver:

Todd E. Day, Brian E. Jordan, Kendall Scott Rosenberg, Zenoviu “Tavi” O. Sirbu, Heather E. Wogomon, Kenneth R. Wogomon

Bronze:

Phillip Wayne Cain, Randy Allen Cecil, Michael R. Cole, Jose Cruz, Thomas Davis, Keith Dodge, Kim Lloyd Dye, Randy G. Garr, Jason A. Hansen, Herbert Lee Hill, Jeffrey Johns, Joseph S. Knauff, Joseph Lotuk Longoli, Barry N. McLarty, Jose O. Mejicano, Robert L. Pinkston, John D. Rhodes Christopher Dewayne Scott, Jorge Ricardo Valdez, Gary Wire, Michael Wommack, Raul Edenilson Zelaya

If you would like to nominate a Landstar agent or owner-operator for a Star of Quality Award, email: StarQ@Landstar.com

Applications for the Landstar Scholarship Fund for the 2019-2020 academic school year are now available. The deadline to apply is March 4, 2019.

The Landstar Scholarship Fund was established to recognize and reward outstanding undergraduate academic achievement and civic involvement of children of Landstar employees, business capacity owners (BCOs) and independent sales agents.

Landstar Scholarship Fund recipients are well rounded individuals who succeed both in and out of the classroom and whose qualities exemplify Landstar’s commitment to excellence.

Click here to download the Freshman scholarship fund application

Click here to download the Sophomore, Junior & Senior scholarship fund application 

Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s:

• Academic excellence
• Community service
• Extracurricular activities

Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Scholarships are only available to children of full-time Landstar employees, BCOs and agents, as well as employees of BCOs and agents currently under contract with a Landstar company. Children of deceased Landstar employees, BCOs or agents who died while employed by or under contract with a Landstar company are also eligible for scholarships.
• Eligible candidates must be enrolled in high school full time and be planning to be enrolled full time (12 or more credit hours/semester) at an accredited two- or four-year college or university during the academic year for which the scholarship may be granted.
• All candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Candidates enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college or university must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours before the applications deadline (March 4, 2019).
• Candidates must also be planning to be enrolled full time (12 or more credit hours per semester) at their college or university during the academic year for which the scholarship is granted.

Download the appropriate application, complete and mail to:

Landstar Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Applications

Attention: Don Stambaugh

13410 Sutton Park Drive, South

Jacksonville FL 32224

*An appropriate receipt will be mailed back to you

All materials must be received no later than the date specified on the scholarship application.

The deadline to apply for the Landstar scholarship for the 2018-2019 academic year is March 4, 2019.

Once the applications are received, an independent selection committee will evaluate all the applications and choose scholarship recipients.

The total number of scholarships awarded in any year cannot exceed 25 percent of the total number of applications received. The number of scholarships to be awarded will be determined following the scholarship application deadline. Award amounts are typically between $2,500 and $5,000 per scholarship for the upcoming school year. Awards are announced each year during the Landstar Agent Convention. All applicants should receive a mailed letter by the end of April advising if they are selected as a 2019 – 2020 Landstar Scholarship Fund recipient. If you submitted an application and have not received a notification by the end of April, please send an email to dstambaugh@landstar.com.

Promoting Efficiency and Increasing Productivity with Landstar’s New Technology

Landstar is committed to supporting independent agents, their businesses and their customers with the best tools and resources available. After collaborating with numerous agencies, Landstar found a need for a tool that would not only help agencies develop fast, accurate quotes for their customers, but would find available capacity quickly too. For this reason, Landstar’s propriety technology, Pricing Tools, was created. Since the launch of Pricing Tools in 2017, agents and shippers alike are benefiting from the technology’s functionality.

Quotes in Seconds

The quoting process, which was once very tedious for agents, has improved significantly thanks to the algorithms and machine learning technology behind Pricing Tools. Agents previously referred to and checked several third-party sources to develop one quote for a customer. This process used to take a seasoned agent at least an hour to complete. For someone new to the industry, it could take twice as long. Now, getting a quote is accomplished in a matter of seconds. Data is pulled from multiple industry tools and resources, as well as the agency’s own pricing history, and analyzed using formulas created by data scientists contracted by Landstar – with the goal of returning an accurate price range applicable to the current marketplace. All an agent needs to produce a quote is the origin, destination and equipment type. The sooner an agent can deliver a reasonable quote to their customer, the sooner the agent can get their shipper’s load on the road.

“The data science behind Landstar’s Pricing Tools means that the accuracy and viability of the information improves through the use of the product. This aspect of machine learning enables Landstar agents to move at the speed of business, provide price quotes, identify capacity options and look for trends,” said Pat O’Malley, Landstar vice president and chief commercial and marketing officer.

Locates Available Capacity

Not only does this new technology help agents provide quick, accurate quotes for their customers, it’s a tool to help them locate available capacity, too. The truckload capacity tab within Pricing Tools shows agents how many trucks are accessible in the designated market at the time of the agent’s search and trucks that are available within a 100-mile radius of the origin for the next three days from their search. This future outlook on a market’s capacity availability is developed with historical data to give agents a projection of how active a specific lane is, who is running the opposite lane that could potentially be looking for a back haul, and what business capacity owners (BCOs) or carriers have run that lane in the past.

“Reducing friction and expediting each transaction is one of our primary objectives. Customers, capacity providers and Landstar are interconnected in the supply chain. Landstar’s Pricing Tools helps bring these constituents together for a more accurate and transparent transportation solution. In today’s market, working with a transportation provider that can easily access a large network of truckload capacity is advantageous for a shipper,” explained O’Malley.

Alternative Modes of Transportation

It’s important for agents to be armed with knowledge to provide shippers all of their capacity choices, even if that means using an alternate mode of transportation. In cases where a load is not time sensitive and is traveling 500 miles or more, intermodal may be the most viable option. Landstar’s Pricing Tools will present agents with intermodal shipping options in addition to truckload capacity, if railroads are available along the designated route. This advantage allows the agent to closely collaborate with the customer to develop the best solution for their shipment.

Continuous Optimization

Pricing Tools is designed to constantly learn from the data agents contribute to the system. Daily updates are applied to absorb any new information – to produce more accurate quotes in a constantly changing transportation marketplace. The more details an agent inputs about a shipment and the more frequently the agent uses the technology, the more data points the Pricing Tools can reference to deliver the best results.

Incorporating Pricing Tools into day-to-day operations of their businesses allows Landstar agents to more effectively communicate with BCOs and carriers, have more time to dedicate to growing their businesses, and nurture relationships with new and existing customers.

“Pricing Tools is yet another valuable addition to the long list of resources agents have to service their customers through the Landstar network,” concluded O’Malley.

For three decades, Landstar agents and business capacity owners (BCOs) have enthusiastically chosen Landstar as the best place to build a career that suits their needs.

Members of Landstar’s family may not share the same DNA. Instead, they share traits that can’t be found in a blood test: entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to their profession and motivation to own and operate a successful independent business.

Following in the footsteps of the men and women who laid the groundwork for Landstar, the next generation of Landstar agents and BCOs encompass the same entrepreneurial spirit as the first. In their 30s, this group of millennial business owners are eager for the future, to grow their businesses and the freedom to succeed with Landstar.

Pepper Rhor, 32-years-old

The Charles Webber Agency
Established: 1987

When he retires, Pepper Webber will leave his agency to his daughter, Pepper Rohr. At 32-years-old, Rohr, like many young professionals at Landstar, has great aspirations to carry on the Landstar family tradition while taking full advantage of the stability and support of an industry leader like Landstar.

“I grew up as part of the Landstar family. Throughout my childhood, I watched how my father’s career choice played out for him as the best career move for our family. Landstar allowed him a great work-life balance. Now, I want to give that gift to my own children. Dad set a precedence in a time where dads were often less involved – instead of compartmentalizing work and family, our whole family joined Landstar.”

Landstar Agent Brian Riegel, 37-Years-Old

Long Island Logistics LLC, Rocky Point, New York
Established: 2014

“The LTL services Landstar has available can compete with any 3PL in the business. That service offers my customers support with technology and a unique personalized experience. There are no limits to my aspirations – with Landstar I have the freedom to spend time with my family while operating my successful independent agency.”

Landstar BCO Kris Cremean, 30-years-old

Hometown: Englewood, Colorado
Leased on: 2018

“Landstar allows me to be my own boss, yet I know I have the company in my corner. In the next 30 years with Landstar, my goal is to continue to operate safely while growing my business, adding more trucks and services as a fleet owner.”

Landstar BCO Sara Pingel, 38-years-old

Hometown: Palm Bay, Florida
Leased on: 2007
Million Mile Safe Driver, Class of 2017

“My partner, Vic, and I leased to Landstar for the freedom to choose who we work with and choose our own growth path with an excellent support system in place. But the best part about being a BCO is the freedom to stop when we want, deliver, park and explore.”

Landstar Agent James Rutledge, 36-Years-Old

On Point Logistics, Ramona, California
Established: 2010

“The sky is the limit at Landstar. I have the ability to choose my destiny and the ability to earn what I’m worth. In the next 30 years, my son could be running my agency from a spaceship in orbit. I don’t know of another company with such a widespread positive reputation, no matter who you speak with in the logistics world. With Landstar’s support, people in our industry know who you are and what you are capable of. That’s the Landstar advantage.”

For three decades, Landstar agents and business capacity owners (BCOs) have enthusiastically chosen Landstar as the best place to build a career that suits their needs.

Members of Landstar’s family may not share the same DNA. Instead, they share traits that can’t be found in a blood test: entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to their profession and motivation to own and operate a successful independent business.

From pagers and pay phones to online load boards, cell phones and mobile apps, the technology used to conduct business has changed a lot in three decades. But as the first generation of independent Landstar entrepreneurs tells it, what hasn’t wavered is Landstar’s commitment to its independent business owners.

Landstar Agent Carol Wind

Hasenoehrl Leasing Inc., Blasdell, New York
Established: 1978

“My father, Bob Hasenoehrl, better known as ‘Buffalo Bob,’ started the agency in 1978 and I came aboard in 1988. At that time we were still creating freight bills by hand. I grew up with this company and a small network of agents who relied on each other to get freight moved. Although now on a much larger scale, that feeling of family still exists at Landstar. Whether it’s about customs support, cross-border operations or a truck breakdown, there is always a fellow agent available willing to help.”

Landstar BCO Tommy Stiles

Hometown: Christiansburg, Virginia
Four Million Mile Safe Driver, Roadstar^®  honoree
Leased on: 1982

“I’d like to tell the next generation to always keep an open mind when it comes to trucking. When I originally leased on I intended to return to dump truck driving, but I decided I liked over-the-road trucking better because Landstar gave me the freedom to run my business my way and provided a better life for my family.”

Landstar Agents Brad and Sarah Beauchamp

SJB Enterprises Inc., Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Established: 1986

“We are as much in the communications industry as we are in the transportation industry. What we once did with several steps to pinpoint freight during transport – by calling the driver to find out, then calling the customer to report the status – now, takes just a few clicks online. Whether we were doing it the old way or with new technologies, our Landstar advantage has always been our availability to customers. Our customers know they have Landstar’s support and we are always there for them.”

Landstar BCO Ralph Jones

Hometown: Blountville, Tennessee
Three Million Mile Safe Driver
Leased on: 1986

“The biggest thing that’s changed over the last 30 years is the amount of traffic on the roads. But it’s our responsibility as professional truck drivers to be aware of the vehicles around us. Putting safety first is how I’ve achieved three million miles with Landstar without a preventable accident.”

Landstar Agent Charles “Pepper” Webber

The Charles Webber Agency
Established: 1987

“Landstar provides many tools to help you maintain and grow your business, but the tools are only as valuable as your willingness to participate. Use them and use the Landstar family advantage – find a mentor and take their advice.”

October & November 2018 Star of Quality Awards

Each month deserving business capacity owners (BCOs), operators and agents earn Landstar’s Star of Quality Award. The award, for members of the Landstar family who go above and beyond the call of duty, recognizes those extra efforts and dedication to service.

The outstanding efforts by these professional men and women throughout October and November earned them a Star of Quality Award. Our thanks and praise to the following Landstar owner-operators and agents who represent the best in the freight transportation industry.

Gold:

Robert Francis Barnard*, Kenneth Boggess*, Jacob Bons, Robert James Brinkman*, Steve Grillo, Richard Hill, Clifton Daniel Parker, David Milton Pearce, Zenoviu O. Sirbu*, John Robert Swangstue*, Todd Taggart, Joseph Tyler*, Michelle Tyler*, Martin Walsh*.

*Going Beyond the Gold – recipients have received multiple Gold Star awards.

Silver:

David W. Adams, Emilio M. Coe, Jose Cruz, Anthony F. Dodd, Louis Green Jr., E. Victor Hounsell, Dale Joles, Tina Joles, Patrick David McGuire Jr., Jose O. Mejicano, Ivan L. Odom, Alan Franklin Sheain Jr., Juan Manuel Tenorio.

Bronze:

Jon Timothy Adkins, Thomas Beliles, Jaroslaw Bozek, Rick L. Brehm, James R. Brophy, Anthony D. Brunson, Quantez L. Clark, Christopher L. Collins, Richard William Collins, Phylisia P. Compton, James B. Farnham, Almir Ferhatbegovic, Garrett Dwyane Fitzsimmons, David Harold Gilmore, Gary Wade Harr, Timothy Hinton, Keith Allen Holbert Sr., Denary Jones, Frenando Juarez, Kenneth G. Laxton, Denis Lewis, Fatmir Manaj, Nguyen “Win” Nguyen, Paul Nickles, Jorge Abraham Olivera, Anthony T. Pennello III, Cary Peters, Jim Renfro, Shakeeb S. Salamy, Katherine M. Sheets, Lonnie R. Sheets, Dustin Spears, Casey Tierney, Gabe F. Vadasz, Matthew F. Walsh, Chriostopher D. Watkins, Joshua A. Williams, Jasmin F. Zulovic.

If you would like to nominate a Landstar agent or owner-operator for a Star of Quality Award, email: StarQ@Landstar.com

As Landstar’s “ambassadors of safety,” Landstar Safety Officers (LSOs) are the representatives from each independent agency at the forefront of Landstar’s Mutual Understanding of Safety Together or M.U.S.T. program. The LSO, who embraces all aspects of Landstar’s safety-first culture, is the customer’s point of contact at the agency for safety-related questions.

“Meeting face-to-face with the customer during a M.U.S.T. visit and supporting the customer’s safety efforts is what we do best. Establishing a clear communication about safety needs is so valuable to each freight move,” says Rick Owens, the independent Landstar agent named 2017 Safety Officer of the Year.

Owens is the LSO at his agency based in Santa Fe, Texas, Owens Leasing Inc. He says sharing Landstar’s safety-first culture with his customers means supporting the customer’s entire operation.

“We care about our customers, so they get the best service possible. That service includes specific safety plans designed around their facilities for their specific needs,” says Owens.

At Owens Leasing Inc., customer safety plans are designed through collaboration with Landstar business capacity owners (BCOs) and the agent’s operations team. Owens says that this type of collaboration and proactive communication is an unmatched industry service – and one he calls “priceless.”

“Each plan has the overall requirements for the move, the necessary safety measures, and tips and information for the business capacity owner involved,” says Owens. “The customer, the BCO and the staff at our agency all know ahead of time what needs to happen to move the freight safely.”

According to Owens the effort keeps the owner-operator safe on the road and the customer’s freight delivered on time, damage and claim-free.

A Family History of Safety

Owens’ practice of putting safety first began in 1994 as a teenager working part-time at his family’s trucking company. Safety has always been an important family tradition at Owens Leasing Inc.

“Our safety culture is as important to us as it is to our customers. We give our customers the best. That means using Landstar business capacity owners (BCOs), who are the best and safest professional drivers in the business – and ensuring our customers are equipped with the knowledge and information needed for success,” says Owens.

Owens first became a safety officer in 2001, when his late father Randy Owens established the independent Landstar agency. Since his father’s passing in October 2017, Rick has assumed the role of president and leads Owens Leasing in day-to-day operations.

Landstar Safety Officers, Ambassadors of Safety:

• Practice safe and compliant dispatch procedures
• Follow proper handling of high-risk commodities in accordance with the law
• Participate in Landstar’s Mutual Understanding of Safety Together (M.U.S.T.) program
• Participate in Landstar’s monthly Safety Thursday Conference Call and Landstar Safety Officer meetings
• Maintain lawfully required hazardous material certification

Landstar recognizes one Landstar Safety Officer of the Month for his or her individual safety efforts. The 12 LSOs selected throughout the year become candidates for the title of LSO of the Year which is announced at the annual agent convention the following year.

December 2018 & January 2019 Recipients

Each month, deserving business capacity owners (BCOs), operators and agents earn Landstar’s Star of Quality Award.  The award, for members of the Landstar family who ago above and beyond the call of duty, recognizes their extra efforts and dedication to service.

The outstanding efforts made by these professional men and women earned them a Star of Quality Award in December 2018 and January 2019. Our thanks and praise to the following members of the Landstar network who represent the best in the freight transportation industry.

Gold:

Eugene Vincent Antinori, Robert Francis Barnard*, Marlaina Gayle Betnaza*, Linda M. Caffee, Vickie L. Hogue Dodwell*, Robert Eugene Dowdy*, Gregory M. Kinch*, Yan Krasnov, Lloyd Edward Lampman*, David R. Long, Andrea E. Perry, Billie Williams*, Kaye B. Williams*

*Going Beyond the Gold – recipients have received multiple Gold Star awards.

Silver:

Lorenzo Carreon, Gary D. Foster, Catherine Johnson, Larry Johnson, Victor Juarez, Charles Kumalaa, David A. Mack, Michele Ann Mills, Marion Ricky Mills, Maria R. Morgan, Stephen S. Morgan, Ray Powell Sr., Russell Wayne Swarengin, Gerald L. Wong, Susan H. Wong

Bronze:

Abdulwahab Taleb Ahmad, Joseph Michael Ancona, Charles Gregory Banks, Muhammad Rais Blakhya, Willie Joseph Broussard, Steven Peter Burkhalter, Jorge Carlos Jr., Robert W. Carr, David E. Chavis, Janet E. Cuatt, Michael C. Cuatt, Cassandra Vanessa Davis, Andrew P. Dawsey, Stephon Dewberry, Jimmie Lee England, Lindell F. Germany, Steven Michael Habeck, Rockie Hadley Jr., George J. Hale Sr., Traci Ray Hargis, Ronald G. Harris, David Michael Hawkins, Alexander W. Heck, AJ Manuel Helms, Stephen H. Henry, Sheila Jo Hoffman, Ronald Anthony Howard, Randyl Hurlbut, William Richard Ingram, Bennie G. Keyes, John Krell, Ronaldo Martinez Jr., Jimmy D. Mathews, Carlton La Phrae McAlister, James Mills, Mukhtar Hassan Mohamed, Daniel Morales, Gerardo Navarro, Michael J. Nicol, Robert Gildae O’Hara, George Phillip Ogilvie, Juan M. Ordaz, Jerome Parish, Bolawale Pedro, Timothy Michael Ross, Babatunde Santana, Stacy R. Sharpley, Robert Esnayra Valenzuela, John Loyd Williams, Renetta Marie Williams, Torrance Wiseman, Joshua Gregory Zeledon, Lionel Zeledon Jr.

Every customer benefits from Landstar’s unique safety program, Mutual Understanding of Safety Together, or M.U.S.T. The customer-centric program is unmatched in the industry and designed to give members of the Landstar safety team a direct connection with the shipper to support its safety efforts.

Since the program’s official inception in 2000, M.U.S.T. customer visits are designed to proactively support and educate Landstar customers in the areas of workplace and highway safety. These on-site safety demonstrations are part of the effort to deliver freight safely, on-time and damage free.

“M.U.S.T. allows us to support the customer as we address their safety concerns. No other company in the industry does this. It’s a unique benefit that goes beyond a typical safety consultation,” says Mike Cobb, Landstar Transportation Logistics vice president of safety and compliance.

During a M.U.S.T. customer visit, the Landstar safety team joins the customer for an extensive facility tour, followed by a discussion of best transport safety and securement practices. Visits are always centered on safety support and open communication.

After the initial visit, the safety team – including Landstar executives, the independent agency’s Landstar Safety Officer (LSO) and Landstar business capacity owners (BCOs) – collaborate with the customer in developing
a plan to address any safety concerns.

Landstar’s safety collaboration offers customers unmatched support to:

• Lower shipper operating costs
• Evaluate the safety procedures and best protocols for transport
• Ensure secure and safe transit
• Identify potential safety issues and present solutions
• Eliminate potential incidents at loading/unloading facilities

Landstar safety plans include support to address:

• Packing procedures
• Proper securement
• Loading and unloading delays
• Potential route issues
• Industry standards and requirements

“I knew I would be successful, but I wasn’t expecting to be so successful,” says Landstar 2017 Rookie of the Year Mariana Gherzu.

When a new Landstar agent is referred to as a “rookie,” the title refers only to their newness to the team, not their level of commitment to excellence or individual experience. With the freedom to find their own opportunities and expand service offerings, rookies at Landstar can quickly hit a home run.

New to the Landstar system, but not necessarily new to the transportation industry, recipients in the award’s 15-year history have always had a “never quit” attitude. That hustle, coupled with Landstar’s support, is what the most recent Rookie of the Year, Mariana Gherzu, says propelled her independent agency toward success.

“My goal is to continuously grow,” says Gherzu, who opened ENM Transport Inc. in 2016. “With Landstar, there was no limit on how I could support my customers. That support allowed me to expand my service offerings to every existing customer. Then, after just a few months, it became easy to attract and secure new business.”

A former professional truck driver and logistics coordinator, Gherzu opened her Land O’Lakes, Florida-based independent Landstar agency with more than 20 years of industry experience and a book full of potential customers.

“In the beginning, agency services and my agent advisor walked me through operations on a daily basis. They helped me learn the Landstar system and how to support my customers every step of the way,” says Gherzu.

With Landstar’s guidance, Gherzu says she quickly realized the possibilities were endless to grow her independent agency. This realization hit home as she stood with Landstar President and CEO Jim Gattoni to accept the annual Rookie of the Year Award.

“When I thought ‘I can no longer do it all’ and I had to hire employees – that’s when I knew what we were doing was something great,” says Gherzu. “I feel unstoppable now.”

For more information on becoming an independent Landstar agent visit landstar.com/agent.

February 2019 Star of Quality Recipients

Each month, deserving business capacity owners (BCOs), operators and agents earn Landstar’s Star of Quality Award.  The award, for members of the Landstar family who go above and beyond the call of duty, recognizes extra efforts and dedication to service.

The outstanding efforts made by these professional men and women earned them a Star of Quality Award in February 2019. Our thanks and praise to the following members of the Landstar network who represent the best in the freight transportation industry.

Gold:

Gary Buchs*, Anthony B. Fowler*, Victor Gomez*, William L. Martin*, James A. Ratcliff.

*Going Beyond the Gold – recipients have received multiple Gold Star awards.

Silver:

Ronald E. Brantly Jr., Kevin Dale Wolfe, Arthur R. Yancey.

Bronze:

Emanuel Antwi, Cindy K. Anwiler, Duane R. Anwiler, Archie Bruce Atkinson, David Ray Barnett, Bobby J. Collier, Kennidy Auther Davis, Richard E. Dent, William J. Dobrie, Frank Leonard Domako, Allan Wayne Dooley, Raudel L. Duarte Lujan Sr., Jermikel Kashaun Gant, Vernon Guichard III, Albert Guilfoil, George William Hayden, James Klug, Danny Lampher, Shelva Lavanne Lemons, Christopher Alan Lisney, Sergio Maldonado, Ivan Pavlovich Mikhov, David Proctor, Regulo Ramirez Jr., Richard Dean Reynolds, Michael E. Roundtree, Terry Eugene Smith, Richardson Kwaku Sosoo, Donald Ray Willaford, Robert Christopher Williams.

If you would like to nominate a Landstar agent, owner-operator or operator for a Star of Quality Award, please email: StarQ@Landstar.com.

Landstar System, Inc. presented the 2018 Landstar Safety Officer of the Year Award to independent Landstar Agent Ike Tate during Landstar’s Annual Agent Convention held in Marco Island, Fla. this month.

Landstar requires each of its 1,300 independent agents to name an individual responsible for the safety performance of their agency. The designated Landstar Safety Officer (LSO) promotes safe, secure and compliant driving, participates in Landstar’s network-wide monthly Safety Thursday Conference Call and supports customer safety initiatives. Each month, Landstar names one LSO of the Month, from which the Landstar Safety Officer of the Year is selected.

Tate, of Charlotte Express Center Inc., based in Charlotte, North Carolina, was first recognized as a LSO of the Month in May 2018 after hosting a Landstar safety meeting focused on the dangers of distracted driving. Charlotte Express Center also conducted three Mutual Understanding of Safety Together or M.U.S.T. customer visits during 2018. And, with more than 2.6 million Landstar business capacity owner (BCO) miles booked in 2018, the agency had no preventable accidents or cargo claims on any shipments it arranged during the year.

During a ceremony held April 6, 2019, Mike Cobb, Landstar Transportation Logistics vice president of safety and compliance, presented the award to Tate. “Ike is a prime example of a true leader in safety,” said Cobb. “His agency supports its customers and community with Landstar’s safety initiatives.”

Tate, like the 11 other 2018 LSO of the Month finalists, represents an agency with an impeccable safety record, very low accident and cargo loss frequency rates, and a staff that continuously looks for ways to improve safety. He demonstrates a constant commitment to safety by regularly participating in safety initiatives and following Landstar’s Complete and Accurate Dispatch procedures.

Landstar System Inc. presented the 2018 Overall Landstar M.U.S.T. Customer of the Year Award to Google LLC during Landstar’s Annual Agent Convention held in Marco Island, Fla., this month.

Landstar’s Mutual Understanding of Safety Together, or M.U.S.T., program involves an extensive tour of a customer’s facility, followed by discussion and analysis of safety and securement practices.

Landstar Transportation Logistics Vice President of Safety and Compliance Mike Cobb announced Google as the overall winner during a ceremony held April 6, 2019. Also recognized was independent Landstar Agent Brian Putzke of Momentum Transportation, the Landstar agency which provides the customer with transportation logistics services.

In 2018, Putzke and Landstar representatives met with Google at seven Google locations throughout the United States to assess shipping and receiving areas at the company’s facilities.

“Together, Landstar and Google reviewed loading and securement processes,” says Cobb. “The visits confirmed that Google and Landstar share the same commitment to putting safety first.”

Two other companies also were awarded M.U.S.T. Customer of the Year and were in the running for the 2018 Overall M.U.S.T. Customer of the Year Award.

NOW Health Group, Inc.
Roselle, Illinois
Jack Kellerstrass
The Jack Kellerstrass Agency Inc.
Reno, Nevada

Sulzer Turbo Services
La Porte, Texas
Rick Owens
Owens Leasing Inc.
Santa Fe, Texas

March 2019 Star of Quality Recipients

The Landstar Star of Quality is awarded to Landstar agents, business capacity owners (BCOs) and operators who regularly go above and beyond the call of duty.  Their constant dedication to safety and service is recognized with a bronze, silver, gold or platinum Star of Quality lapel pin.

Congratulations to the following men and women who received a Star of Quality Award during March 2019. Our thanks and praise to these professionals, their outstanding efforts provides customers with the best in transportation services.

Gold:

Alec S. Costerus*, Ben Easters, Darrell G. Eisenhauer, Jason Lloyd Mollett*, Craig S. Williams

*Going Beyond the Gold – recipients have received multiple Gold Star awards.

Silver:

Robert C. Finch, George Robert Jacobs Jr., Rebecca Martin Jacobs, Stanley B. Rice, Gustavo Sanchez Jr., Michael L. Vickers

Bronze:

Josie Alvarez, William R. Bass Sr., James Louis Bell, Johnny Clark, Lisa Faye Clay, Juan Antonio Contreras, Johnny Lamell Ealy, Aaron Ellis, Ruben Fraire Jr., Ivan Evar Fridell, Cody Franklin Gallagher, Joe David Garcia, Scott Michael Grafton, Dujuan Deante Howard, Ty Lorn King, Shawn M. Loy, Mark Anthony Markin, Shawn Keith McCroskey, Mark Thomas McElwey, John Minckler, Darrell Mitchell, Zdzislaw “Ziggy” Mroczkowski Jr., Raymond Lewis Munoz Jr., Rodney Iderrick Orr, Volodymyr Samchuk, Nicky Derron Seville, Awwall Ajit Shah, Sami Radwan Smaisem, Keith Lamar Jay Spillman, Enouche Ramond Trosclair Jr., Harold Scott Wade, Marie Anne Wade, Winston J. Wells, John Robert Wilson

Landstar presented the 2018 Rookie of the Year Award to independent Landstar Agent J. Marshall Mizell during Landstar’s Annual Agent Convention held in Marco Island, Florida, this month.

Landstar defines a rookie as an independent agent who is new to the Landstar network but not necessarily new to the transportation industry. Mizell, of MM Transportation LLC, based in Pearson, Georgia, joined the Landstar network after several years on the open road as an independent owner-operator. Mizell decided to turn his experience as a professional truck driver into his strength as an independent Landstar agent in October 2017.

“The customers Marshall hauled for as a professional truck owner-operator became his first customers as an independent Landstar agent,” said Landstar President and CEO Jim Gattoni. “His respect for the road has helped Marshall develop loyal relationships with customers and Landstar business capacity owners (BCOs).”

MM Transportation LLC, has an excellent safety record. Since opening, the agency has generated more than $2.6 million in Landstar revenue with no cargo claims or preventable accidents. Landstar Rookie of the Year Award recipients must be part of Landstar for less than two years, demonstrate an outstanding revenue performance and encompass excellence in customer service. Nominees for the 2018 award joined Landstar between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018.

“Priceless,” is how Landstar Agent Michael Black describes the benefits of the Mutual Understanding of Safety Together or M.U.S.T. program. Landstar’s unique, shipper-specific safety program delivered valuable financial and safety support for Black’s top customer.

“No other company does this, offers the level of service that Landstar agents can offer to customers,” explains Black. “At my customer’s location, we conduct a weekly review of business. We are literally steps away from being able to respond to any customer needs.”

Black’s agency, MNY, is around the corner from his customer in Greene, New York. The independent Landstar agency handles much of the shipping for a forklift and pallet jack manufacturer, which Black credits to Landstar’s money saving solutions and his tight-knit relationship with his customer.

Engineering an Intermodal Solution

“It wasn’t long after we started working with them that the opportunity presented itself to offer a M.U.S.T. customer visit,” says Black. “The result of the collaborative meeting was the identification of multiple ways the customer could save money and improve securement procedures.”

Black and his customer worked closely with the members of the Landstar safety team to create an intermodal plan with a new approach to cargo securement in support of the shipper’s coast-to-coast needs. Instead of the customer’s freight making the entire trip to the west coast in a Landstar van, a rail-intermodal plan now moves the freight from the customer’s facility on a trailer to a rail yard, where it’s transported to a cargo train for the remainder of the trip.

“The costs for shipping over-the-road (OTR) versus the benefits of intermodal in conjunction with OTR made the situation a major win for the shipper and Landstar,” says Black.

“Aside from the intermodal solution, Landstar recommended better securement techniques and procedures for the customer’s industrial cargo,” says Landstar Transportation Logistics Rusty Cody, vice president of specialized hauling and intermodal. “Using more modern strapping, track systems and d-ring tie-down anchors, it took less material to secure the freight in the Landstar van.”

By eliminating a dated wood-block securement technique and instead using modern, lightweight straps, less weight would travel. This resulted in additional cost savings with both transportation modes.

“Together we saw a tremendous opportunity to enhance safety, reduce costs and improve the driver experience by revamping the load securement process,” says Black. “That’s priceless support and the foundation Landstar was built on.”

What data can freight agents use to drive the growth of their businesses? Katie MacDonald, Landstar Transportation Logistics vice president, agent development and sales, shared this insight in the April issue of Inbound Logistics. 

Freight agents rely on technology to maintain the daily operations of their businesses. But how are they using data gathered from technology to drive growth? There are many different technology-focused tools available – some are widely used in the transportation and logistics industry, some are unique to the company a freight agent operates under – but all compile different datasets. If that data isn’t being utilized properly or is challenging to understand, freight agents could be doing a disservice to future customers and limit their company’s growth potential. This is especially true for independent agents who own their businesses.

Forecasting & Planning

Every freight agent could benefit from using a business analytics tool that provides detailed data specific to their company’s trends and performance metrics, ultimately giving freight agents the support needed to provide their customers with the best service. This data should help freight agents position their resources, review trends, identify opportunities to mature existing accounts, manage staff and set tangible goals for new business. Additionally, it should be presented visually to make it as digestible as possible. Having the technology to collect and present the right data in a manner in which it can be quickly used is key.

Quick, Accurate Quoting

The process of developing a shipping quote for a customer can be very tedious for some freight agents. Several third-party sources have to be checked to give the most accurate pricing, unless the freight agent has access to a pricing tool that pulls all of that information into one place. The less time a freight agent spends gathering and compiling pricing data to provide an accurate quote, the quicker the agent can develop a solution for the customer and get the shipment in transit to its destination.

Manage Remotely

A busy freight agent should be able to access the company’s business tools anywhere, anytime. If ever in a situation where a customer has an immediate or emergency request, a freight agent should not have to worry about how to provide the best solution at a moment’s notice. No matter what technology a freight agent considers investing in, or has access to through the transportation provider they work with, it should be as mobile as they are.

More Time to Focus on Your Business

Technology is supposed to make life and business easier, especially in a competitive market like the logistics and transportation industry. The less time a freight agent spends navigating numerous tools and trying to decipher complicated datasets, the more time they can spend focusing on the growth of their business and the needs of their customers.

The data-driven tools a freight agent uses should be quick, efficient, user-friendly and, most importantly, serve the needs of their business and customers. Whether operating on their own or independently under an agent-based company like Landstar, freight agents should know what technologies are available to them and how to use data to support the growth of their business.

Click here for more information about becoming an independent Landstar agent or contact an agent recruiter at agentrecruiters@landstar.com.