Madison Aselage leads HSO Logistics, an independent Landstar agency based in Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina, alongside his longtime friends and teammates, David Munson and Maksym “Maks” Semasko. What started as a standard freight business has grown into something much bigger: a team that arranges complex freight moves, which require detailed planning and operational support.

In this Landstar agent profile, you'll learn:

• Why Madison wanted to move beyond standard freight into more complex freight

• How Landstar's operational support, including insurance, claims and Heavy Haul teams, made that shift possible

• What a tricky cross-border shipment can teach agents about problem-solving

• Why personal relationships matter as much as capacity in keeping complex freight customers

HSO Logistics today: three friends, one growing business

When Madison, David and Maks teamed up in May of 2021, they worked hard to earn a solid reputation with clients by focusing primarily on standard freight. It wasn't long before the team was ready to explore opportunities to expand and grow the business.

"We were ready to take our company to the next level," Madison says. "To do that, we knew we needed to broaden our capabilities and pursue freight with more complex transportation requirements."

That search led them to Landstar, whose network and operational backing gave the agency a foundation to build on. That support shows up in many different ways — from in-house resources for requesting and confirming cargo insurance to the Heavy Haul operations team that keeps a growing agency running smoothly.

"Landstar takes a lot of that off your plate," Madison says. "The operations teams handle the administrative support like carrier vetting and invoicing, so you can stay focused on making sure your freight gets delivered. It's a huge asset to our business."

When a shipment gets complicated — oversized equipment, tight permitting windows, unusual routes — Landstar's Heavy Haul team helps him work through it, the kind of support that's opened the door to exciting new opportunities for HSO.

Putting it to the test: a tricky shipment out of Canada

One shipment shows exactly what that support looks like in practice. Madison's team needed to move an oversized piece of mining equipment out of Canada during frost law season, a stretch of the year when heavy freight is restricted from the road because of how it can damage roads as the ground thaws.

Since rolling the equipment onto a trailer the usual way was prohibited during frost law season, Madison worked with Landstar's Heavy Haul team to find another way. They located a special crane to lift and set the large mining tractor directly onto a trailer built to carry it. That solution got the shipment out on time, through the Port of Vancouver.

"That's something I would never have even entertained without Landstar's backing. It just would never have happened," Madison says. "The customer was blown away, and they remain a good client for us."

Madison says he regularly works with Landstar’s Heavy Haul team, both on complex moves and on details such as permits, regional requirements and equipment needs. Identifying potential issues before a shipment moves can help customers avoid last-minute changes and operational disruptions.

Relationships that set HSO Logistics apart

Landing complex freight is one thing. Keeping it is another and for Madison, that comes down to relationships, not just capability.

"The first thing I do when I call a customer, I don't ask about the freight," he says. "I ask about their kids’ baseball game, or how they're doing in school. Our relationships are setting us apart."

Madison says Landstar's operational support directly enables his team to build stronger relationships with customers because he has more time to focus on them, rather than getting pulled into the back-office work that comes with this type of freight.

When issues do arise, Madison says how quickly you respond can make all the difference.

"A slow or mishandled claim can undo months of trust in a single bad experience," he says. "That's another reason why having Landstar's support teams involved matters as much for the relationship as it does for the paperwork."

Think like an owner: what Madison tells agents considering Landstar

Loop in Heavy Haul before you need them. Bringing Landstar's Heavy Haul team into a complex shipment early means they can catch permitting and equipment issues weeks out, not days out.

Let Landstar handle the back office. Landstar provides operational and administrative support in areas such as carrier vetting, invoicing and claims, helping agents focus more time on customers.

Don't be afraid to lean on specialized teams as you grow. They're built for agents taking on freight that's bigger or more complex than what they've handled before.

Remember the brand opens the door — you keep it open. Landstar's brand and network get you the meeting; real relationships are what keep high-value customers loyal.

FAQ: Becoming a Landstar freight agent

What counts as complex freight?

Complex freight may require specialized planning, equipment or experience because of its size, weight, shape, handling, routing or permitting requirements. High-value shipments may also require additional insurance review and shipment-specific planning.

How does Landstar's Heavy Haul team help with complex shipments?

The Heavy Haul operations team helps agents catch details that are easy to miss — permitting requirements, regional restrictions and equipment specifications — often flagging issues weeks before a shipment is set to move.

What's the advantage of moving from standard freight into complex freight?

Complex freight may present different business opportunities, but it also requires careful planning, appropriate coverage and specialized operational support.

How important are personal relationships in keeping high-value freight customers?

Just as important as capacity. Customers who are called dozens of times a day tend to stick with agents who know them personally, not just on a transactional level.