While predicting the transportation industry's future is no easy feat, there are plenty of opportunities to help shape it. For example, earlier this year, Girl Scouts from three different Illinois-based troops were given a rare and insightful look into the trucking industry, thanks to the efforts of Landstar employees in Rockford, Illinois, and Landstar business capacity owner (BCO) Dawn Arrington.

This special event — organized by Landstar’s Heather Johnson, director of Automotive Services; Tammy Ireland, manager of BCO Recruiting; and Kari Schelling, manager of Human Resources, all based in Rockford — aimed to introduce the girls to the vital role that trucking plays in our daily lives.

The National Safety Council (NSC) recognized Landstar Transportation Logistics, Inc. for “Remarkable Results” in the organization’s awards for Excellence in Driver Safety Training for “leading in their field in building safer drivers.” The Remarkable Results award, under the Professional Truck Driver – Online category, means between 5,000-9,999 commercial motor vehicle drivers completed the NSC’s Defensive Driving Course online in 2023.

Independent owner-operators leased to Landstar complete the NSC’s online Defensive Driving Course as part of Landstar’s orientation and qualification process. The NSC’s 2024 award was mentioned on Landstar’s Safety Thursday Conference Call in September by guest speaker Ryan Pietzsch, NSC driver safety program technical consultant. “I want to thank you all for all you do to support NSC,” said Pietzsch. “And to congratulate Landstar, all of you, for your outstanding safety records and activities.” 

Landstar recently gave away its 50th truck to a deserving independent Landstar business capacity owner (BCO), the company’s term for independent owner-operators who lease to Landstar. BCO Stacie Simmons won a bright blue 2025 Kenworth T-680 last week at the 2024 Landstar BCO Appreciation Days event in Durant, Oklahoma. 

Stacie Simmons from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina was one of five finalists randomly selected from the contest’s pool of nearly 9,000 eligible BCOs. The truck giveaway is traditionally the highlight of Landstar’s BCO Appreciation Days, a two-day event held annually to thank the owner-operators for their commitment to safety and customer service excellence.