April & May 2019
Star of Quality Award Winners

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 those extra efforts and an individual’s dedication to service.

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

Gold:

Robert Francis Barnard*, Alec S. Costerus*, Gregory Michael Gressley*, Randy Wayne Ladd*, Richard P. Mantooth II*, Victor Markle*, Thomas S. Masier*, Patrick David McGuire Jr., Anthony C. Rainwater, Lloyd Cleve Tubbs, Gene Douglas Tunney*, William E. Watson, Warren A. Wylds

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

Silver:

Daniel L. Catherman, Thaddeus F. Harper, Jessie Arthur Nash, Duriel Jovan Pittman, Tonya Mae Pomeroy, Terry M. Richmond. 

Bronze:

Dezmond Trevor Alexanders, Paul Allen, Themlma Adams Allen Rodrick Ondra Allen Sr., Anthony Basile, Tom Blinn, Thomas Brown, Orrett Orlando Brown, Gregory L. Colter, Andres Baltazar Cornejo, Terry Criner, Roy M. Crowder, Michael F. Cwikiel, Tammie Shree Docher, Jerzy Dwulit, Jeffry Harrod Flake, Yayah Fofanah, Howard W. Francis, Constantine G. Galanis, Joseph Gill, Ricardo E. Gomez Arbelaez Sr., Leland W. Green, Douglas Wayne Ham, Charles Henriques, Jessica Hernandez, Billy Lee Hills, Alfred Jerome Jenkins Jr., Tammy Marie Lancaster, Cynthia M. Lasby, Dennis M. Lasby, Randall Lathers, Terry M. Martzall, Matthew W. McNeil, Ralph Ferris Mendler, Keith Lyle Mitchell, Loranzo Leromy Mitchell, Taragayle Mitchell, Melody Ann Nicholson, Eugene Oprea, William Steve Pittman, Kelly J. Plumb, Ricardo Flores Quinones Sr., Michael D. Rice Sr., Eric Kenneth Seiser, Roger D. Slone, Jason Scott Speer, John W. Thomas, Ricky Lee Tyson Sr., Thomas B. Walker, John Fitzgerald Womack, Steven Johnell Wooders.

To nominate an independent agent or business capacity owner (BCO) for a Star of Quality Award, please email: StarQ@Landstar.com

July 2019 Star of Quality Award Winners

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 an individual’s dedication to service.

Our thanks and praise to the following members of the Landstar network who represent the best in the freight transportation industry. For their outstanding efforts, these men and women earned a Landstar Star of Quality Award during June 2019.

 Gold:

Bill E. Ater Jr.*, Robert Francis Barnard*, Emilio M. Coe, Kenneth E. Dodd, Steven Grillo*, James D. Henson*, James H. Kelly, Lloyd Edward Lampman*, Harmon Elwood Meeker III, Lloyd Cleve Tubbs*

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

Silver:

William Anderson, Paul E. Boitnott, Robert Bruce Boyle, Paul D. Christensen, Cary M. Dawson, Dennis Day, Kim Lloyd Dye, Dennis Fields, Phillip Lamar Frese, Damien L. Goff, David Michael Hawkins, Richard D. Healey, Joseph M. Kren, Christopher D. Kuczmarski, Frankie D. Langley, Terrill Antonio Lee, Dakota Lynn, Osvaldo Medina, Raul Medina Jr., Alan D. Poole, Glen E. Reams, Mark William Rosian, Richard J. Rukstalis II, Katherine M. Sheets, Lonnie R. Sheets, Richard Snyder Jr., Davor Zecevic

Bronze:

Thomas E. Allen, Michael Barnes, Robert William Batten, Buddy Paul Baynum, Todd Blankenship, Larry D. Cothran, David C. Counce, Troy Lajon Daniels, Kirk D. Dayse, Robert L. Drechsel, Christopher Keefe English, Jeffery Evans, Chavis Jerad Everett, Derrick Lionnel Foster, Denard Desila Gauze, Travis Gilley, Lawrence James Glover, Donald Allen Growe, Kenneth Jason Harrell, Don Hill Jr., Mark Anthony Hoggs, Danny Dale Housley, Jorge A. Jacquez, Bobby Richard Johnson, Antonio Jaime Jones, James Jones, Guy Laman, Val lane, Jeron L. Long, John Garrick Lord, Dakota Lynn, George Antoni Maculo, Emanuel Mihai, Nick Morrow, Rondy Edward Mosley Sr., Jenna Lynn Nagy, Sandor Nagy, Kent L. Newsom Sr., Irena Marie Parsons, Matt L. Paulson, Edgar Noel Ramos, Joel Skye Ramsey, Larry L. Rice, Marshall Edward Rodgers, Jeremy Ray Ruhl, Carl A. Skees, Rheen John Smalls, Barry David Smith, Paul Daniel Smith, Jason Lynn Taylor, Jake Austen Waterbury, Greg Williams, Latravion Devonta Williams

If you would like to nominate a Landstar BCO or independent agent for a Star of Quality Award, please email your nomination to StarQ@Landstar.com.

July & August 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 those extra efforts and dedication to service.

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

Platinum:

Joshua Aaron “Buford” Williams

*A Platinum Star of Quality is awarded in exceptional circumstances such as those faced with a life or death situation.

Gold:

Robert Boyle, Robert L. Haas, David Michael Hawkins, Robert D. Hill Jr., Charles Kumalaa, Matthew Mickenberg, Alan D. Poole, Mark William Rosian, Richard Snyder Jr., Steven Grillo*, Robyn Eve Taylor*, William Asher Taylor*, Larry A. James*

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

Silver:

Kenneth Adams, Ivan Evar Fridell, Lincoln Ryan Hunter, Vincent Leon Jackson, Jeron Long, Bryan L. Mair, Ryan James Nussbaum, Donald A. Ray, Jesus G. Valenzuela, Robert Esnayra Valenzuela

Bronze:

Michael Wayne Allen, Lance E. Allinson, Nicholas C. Altvater, Bryan Duane Arnesen, Thomas Baker, Elbert N. Banks Jr., Mustapha Benallou, Javier Betancur, Jorge Enrique Bueno Sr., Joe Lorence Caetano III, Melissa A. Caetano, Raymond John Calvosa, Juan M. Caracheo, Manuel Deveze, Louis A. Dominguez, Robert David French, Jibin George, Andres Fernando Giraldo, Jose Fernando Giraldo Murillo, John A. Giraldo, Lissa Gressley, Nestor Grijalva, Johnny Lewis Heath, Christopher S. Higgins, Christopher Lee Inson, Charles Lee Jones Jr., Robert Kimble, Daniel Glen Lea, William Shotwell Lee III, Sergio Hernan Lopera, Milton James Nolan Jr., Carlos Andres Osorio Jr., Samuel Erroll Parker, Steven David Pestor, Stephen D. Polan, Dennis B. Pugh, Alex S. Rebelatto, Giacomo Jack Riccobono Jr., Jeremy Jason Silcott, Jack Simpson, Patty Simpson, William Bryan Southard, Francine Undercoffler, Tracy E. Underwood, Christopher Wade, Matthew Caleb West, John Jerry White, Audrey Lynn Wilder

This content was originally published on Entrepreneur.com. 

Anyone can start a business but it takes a true entrepreneur to run a successful, profitable company – especially in the competitive transportation and logistics industry. But how do you know if it’s the right time in your career to make the leap to start your own freight agency? Independent Landstar Agent Mike McSwain reflects on his decision to transition into entrepreneurship after working for other companies in the transportation and logistics industry for more than 30 years. Since opening his independent Landstar agency seven years ago, he has grown his company’s annual revenue to nearly $29 million.

You have an entrepreneurial spirit.

“I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. I always had that spirit, but the companies I worked with didn’t offer a viable outlet.” – Mike McSwain

If you find yourself complacent at work but are hungry for more, it’s time to feed your entrepreneurial spirit and explore the opportunities fitting to your expertise. There’s never a wrong time to plan for your future and advance your career.

You have limited opportunities with your current employer.

“I started seeing my professional friends being released from their high level positions, in some cases with no or very little notice. I didn’t want to wait for that to happen to me, too, so although very nervous about making a change at this stage of my life, I wanted something I had more control over.” – Mike McSwain

Whether the company you’re working for is going through restructuring, you feel like you’ve moved up the ladder as high as you can, or you have no interest in growing with your current employer, you’re in a stagnant place and are likely ready for something new. Certainly entrepreneurship is a challenge. However, the support of the right transportation provider to align your business with can be the first step on the path to running a successful operation.

You want your independence but would still like a support network. 

“One great thing about being an independent Landstar agent is that no one dictates your revenue levels. You do what you’re comfortable doing and what you’re comfortable investing in doing. All the while, we get the support we need from Landstar.” – Mike McSwain

Landstar gives entrepreneurs the flexibility to run their businesses with independence but operate with confidence by leaning on the support of the Landstar network. Members of the Landstar network – employees, independent capacity providers and sales agents – have a vested interest in providing the best transportation solutions.

You want to build a multi-generational business. 

“Starting my independent Landstar agency was the best thing I’ve ever done for myself and my family. My daughters left their careers in banking and nursing to launch their logistics careers at my agency.” – Mike McSwain

If a part of you has always wanted to build something that you could pass on to your children, opening up an independent freight agency may be your opportunity to do that. Not only will this set up your family for the future, but it gives you additional motivation to focus on the sustainability of the company.

You’re ready to take your career to the next level.  

“After discussions with other agent-based companies, Landstar was head and shoulders above the rest. There isn’t another company with this scope, at this size, that allows agents to control their own destinies.” – Mike McSwain

Independent freight agents are on their own, but never alone. The Landstar business model was built to help entrepreneurs flourish while maintaining their freedom as a business owner.

For more information about joining the Landstar network as an independent freight agent, visit landstar.com.

More about Mike McSwain: Mike McSwain opened his independent Landstar agency, McSwain Worldwide, in 2012 with one employee and now has 20 employees. His office is based in Fernandina Beach, Florida, and has experienced revenue growth each year since 2012.  

This content was originally published on InboundLogistics.com. 

Leaving a job to start a company is a high risk/high reward decision. For those transportation and logistics professionals who have been toying with the idea of entrepreneurship, there are some points to take into consideration to help make the right choices.

When is the best time to open a freight agency?

There’s never a wrong time to plan for the future and take steps to advance a career.

Many freight agents make the transition into entrepreneurship when they feel stagnant with their current employers, have limited growth opportunities, or believe they could be subject to a restructuring or reorganization by their employer. More than anything, transportation professionals open up freight agencies when they are ready to take their career into their own hands and become their own boss.

The transition into agency ownership is easier for those seasoned professionals who have built relationships in the industry and have the support of an experienced agent-based transportation provider.

How do successful freight agents run their businesses?

Every business owner will run his or her business differently – there is no secret to running a successful operation. Entrepreneurs are diligent, hard-working and driven. As long as those qualities are ingrained, anything is possible.

However, choosing a reliable, reputable logistics and transportation company to operate under can make running a successful freight agency even easier. A well-known brand can help new entrepreneurs get their foot in the door with potential customers and gain the confidence they need to sell their services. Plus, the support from a company’s broad transportation network can make all the difference to the growth of a freight agency.

What kind of support should a freight agent expect from the company they align with?

The company a freight agent chooses to align with should have a business model built to help the agency flourish and feel completely supported. Look for a company that:

• Is connected to a large capacity network allowing freight agents to offer their customers a full suite of transportation modes and services using a variety of equipment
• Allows freight agents to set their own priorities but never feel alone
• Has unlimited earning potential
• Provides back-office administration
• Has a good reputation
• Is financially stable

The company also should provide advanced technology to its agents to help them run their businesses effectively and deliver the best transportation solutions for customers. Systems that help position resources, manage staff, develop quotes quickly, and operate remotely are tools every freight agent should have access to. Without this level of support, it’s time to look elsewhere.

Click here for more information about becoming an independent Landstar agent. 

Landstar Safety Officers of the Month 

As Landstar’s “ambassadors of safety,” Landstar Safety Officers (LSOs) are the representatives from each independent agency at the forefront of Landstar’s customer safety initiatives. The LSO, who embraces all aspects of Landstar’s safety-first culture, is the customer’s point of contact at the independent Landstar agency for safety-related questions.

Supporting customers with Landstar’s safety efforts is what LSO’s do best. Congratulations to the following Landstar Safety Officers recently recognized as LSOs of the Month.

August

Congratulations to Landstar Safety Officer (LSO) Dawn Greaney-White, who was named the August LSO of the Month. Greaney-White and the agency staff at Greaney White & Associates in Valley, Alabama, make safety their top priority by practicing complete and accurate dispatch for every load. In addition, the team regularly participates in Landstar’s Safety Thursday Conference Call each month and supports Landstar’s annual LSO meeting in Birmingham, Alabama.

September

Landstar Safety Officer Jeff Secrest was selected as September’s LSO of the Month for his agency’s experience in moving high-value, high-risk shipments. So far this year, by following Landstar’s lockdown process, Secrest Direct Inc., has managed 900 high-value, high-risk loads with zero thefts. Congratulations Jeff and team!

October

Michael Roach, the Landstar Safety Officer at Mar Enterprises Inc. was named the October LSO of the Month. Roach and his agency team have dispatched more than 7.1 million BCO miles in the past 12 months. In addition, Roach utilizes Landstar’s Mutual Understanding of Safety Together or M.U.S.T. program with his customers. During a recent M.U.S.T. visit in Laredo, Texas, Roach helped his customer understand transload operations at the Landstar U.S./Mexico Logistics Center.

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.

This content was originally published on SupplyChainDive.com. 

Continuously growing and efficiently running a business is challenging for all entrepreneurs regardless of background or experience. As a freight agency owner, there are specific steps you can take to make your business thrive in the unpredictable world of logistics and transportation.

Align Your Business with a Reliable Transportation Provider

Aligning your freight agency with a well-known transportation provider can help you establish credibility with potential new customers. You will have confidence selling if you know you’re backed by an industry leader, and your customers will likely be familiar with the company’s reputation, too.

Look for these qualities in the company you operate with:

• A safety-first culture with experienced drivers recognized for safe driving
• Freedom to run your business independently and set your own priorities
• A large capacity network with access to a variety of equipment
• Opportunities to offer customers a full suite of services
• Provides freight agencies with back-office administration
• Financially stable
• Designed for unlimited earning potential

Embrace Your Support Network

Successful entrepreneurs are surrounded by a strong support network. When starting your freight agency, turn to your connections in the industry and potential book of business to get your company off the ground. Likewise, the transportation provider you’re aligned with should provide you with high levels of support. Lean on the company’s transportation experts, training opportunities, sales development knowledge and overall experience to further develop your freight agency.

Take Advantage of Available Tools and Resources

The transportation provider you operate under should supply you with the resources you’ll need to successfully run your business. Some of the tools and technology that you should take advantage of are those that help you:

• Develop price quotes quickly
• Operate remotely
• Position your resources
• Analyze business performance

For those freight agencies that are newly established, access to sales and marketing materials will give you the opportunity to align with the transportation provider’s branding. Standing out from your competitors will be critical to your initial growth.

Stay Updated on Industry Trends

The freight environment is constantly changing and it’s important that you are always up to date on new developments in the industry. You are your customer’s one-stop-shop so you should be able to steer them in the right direction if they ever approach you with questions or concerns. Not only will this knowledge of the industry help your customers, but you will be better equipped to adapt your business operations to new trends and regulations.

Always Stay Driven

Nobody is going to have the same passion for your business as you do. If you do not stay motivated to continuously deliver the best transportation solutions for your customers and/or stay driven to grow your company, your business will become stagnant. And if you are managing a freight agency with multiple employees, the complacency will trickle down from the top. Your freight agency will not run itself.

Whether you already own a freight agency or you are considering becoming a freight agency owner, these steps will guide you in your quest to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Click here for more information about becoming an independent Landstar agent.

September & October 2019 Star of Quality Awards

When independent Landstar business capacity owners (BCOs) and agents go above and beyond the call of duty, their efforts are recognized with Landstar’s Star of Quality award.

Each month, deserving BCOs and agents earn Landstar’s Star of Quality Award for the outstanding efforts they make every day. Our thanks and praise to these members of the Landstar network, who represent the best in the freight transportation industry.

Congratulations to the Landstar Star of Quality Award recipients in September and October:

Platinum:

James N. Hawkins Jr.

*The Platinum Star of Quality Award is intended for Landstar’s Heroes of the Highway and is awarded in exceptional circumstances such as those faced with a life or death situation.

Gold:

Charles Alexander, David Daft, Jewell Daft, Jerry L. Lahman, Blair David McArthur, Bobby McCandless, Ear D. Spradling, Allen L. Stumke, Angela L. Surette, Denise Anne Gibson*, Roger D. Falloon*, Samuel P. McVea*, Michael M. Williams Sr.*

Silver:

Vincent Allen, Anthony W. Cox, Gregory A. Ferrell, Christopher James Fina, James A. Freeman, Kevin Hannon, Do Hyung Kim, Howell Lovelace, Michael Medina, Marek Przytula, Sharon K. Rogers, Earl D. Spradling, James H. Winton.

Bronze:

Oscar Aldape Jr., Frederic James Anderson, Gerry Scott Blake, Gilbert Botello, Dorian Lloyd Brooks, James Lanny Brown, Walter C. Brundidge, Scott E. Buchanan, Brian Burgess, Jerry Lee Combs, Kimberly Elswick Combs, Mark Douglas Croddy, Aaron Michael Edwards, Ronald Ellis Favor, William Dewayne Flakes, James A. Freeman, Juan A. Gomez, Richard Lee Gordon, Shannon R. Hendrickson, Charles E. High, Reginald Kent Hunter, Mark Ingalls, Gary Kent Jeffrey Jr., Michael Ray Jernigan, Mardie Jones, Jeffrey Scott Keenan, Loreen Kelley, Steven Kelley, Tom Alan Koester, Aaron Matthew Lyman, Roberto Marin, Harold Duane Matthews, Mark Clarence McConnell, Kenneth P. McGrath, Alfonso Medina Jr., Robert B. Mills, Michael A. Newsome, Bobby Lee Parker Jr., Maria Santos Payne, Michael Todd Payne, Georgiane Ann Plummer, John Plummer, George Steve Posey Jr., Richard Alan Sanborn, Victoria Elizabeth Sanborn, Scott Edward Secrist, Larry D., Shaneyfelt, Kameron Lemarc Sharpe Sr., Kewei Shen, Jermaine K. Smith, Elgin Leonard Spencer Sr., James Edward Teasley, Melaku Tessema, Richard Harry Travis, John Stevens Trawinski, Leroy Tyson Jr., Santiago Z. Villanueva, Patrick O’Neal Walker, Aaron Watson Jr., Albert Henry Williams, William H. Wilson.

If you would like to nominate a Landstar agent or business capacity owner (BCO) for a Star of Quality Award, please email StarQ@Landstar.com.

This content was originally published on Entrepreneur.com. 

Opening a freight agency is an exciting undertaking. But any entrepreneur knows that growing a business is not a simple mission. What do you need to do to build your freight agency?

Katie MacDonald, Landstar Transportation Logistics vice president of agent development, and Carlos Torres, an independent Landstar agent, share their experiences. MacDonald oversees the agent development department at Landstar. She is well-versed in the challenges and successes of freight agents.

Torres is a young, ambitious entrepreneur whose knowledge of the transportation industry stems from his father’s experience as an independent Landstar owner-operator. In 2017, Torres – at only 22 years old – and his father decided to open a freight agency. Torres is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency and leads all sales efforts. By the end of 2018, the company generated more than $3 million in revenue.

Listen To Your Customers’ Needs

Katie MacDonald, VP of Agent Development

“Your customer is an expert in its products, but you’re the expert in the shipment of its products. Have a good understanding of the requirements and provide the best options.” – Katie MacDonald

Every shipment and every customer is different so you need to pay careful attention each time a customer explains its needs to you. Your customers trust you to provide the best solutions to their transportation challenges. When you prove to your customers time and time again that the logistics plans you develop are indeed the best, they will continue to give you their business.

Lean on Your Support Network

“Nobody will build your business for you, but with the right connections and support, you can make it happen.” – Carlos Torres

For Torres, the professional relationships he and his father built were key to the freight agency’s rapid success. Torres tapped into the duo’s immediate network of potential customers and ran with every available sales opportunity. These connections and his tenacity helped him build a book of business to get the agency off the ground. Torres also leaned on the support he found in the Landstar network of employees, independent agents and capacity providers. He quickly developed strong relationships with Landstar’s agent development department and his assigned regional manager. He knew he could turn to any of these contacts to point him in the right direction if he ever had a question.

Utilize Your Resources

“Running a freight agency is hard work but there are ways you can make it less stressful. Take advantage of all of the tools you have access to.” – Katie MacDonald

Landstar provides entrepreneurs with the resources they need to run their businesses efficiently and remain competitive in a crowded market. Torres regularly utilizes two of Landstar’s technology tools – agent analytics and pricing tools. Agent analytics allows freight agency owners to keep track of their revenue, monitor their freight volume and analyze business performance. Landstar’s pricing tools provides independent agents with historical pricing data and access to proprietary technology to develop quick, accurate quotes for their customers.

Own Your Competitive Advantage

“Recognize what makes your business different and own it. That means really knowing your agency inside and out.” – Carlos Torres

Carlos Torres (right) with his father and co-agent (left).

Successful entrepreneurs know what sets them apart from the competition and how to outshine other companies. Torres sets goals for his agency and stops at nothing to achieve them. He monitors his freight volume and revenue regularly to make sure those goals are accomplished, his business is running smoothly and his customers are receiving top-notch transportation services. If your agency isn’t doing this, too, you’re leaving your business vulnerable to the competition.

For more information about aligning your freight agency with a transportation provider committed to helping your business succeed, visit landstar.com.