On a sunny winter day in Florida, Landstar welcomed U.S. Congressman John H. Rutherford of Florida’s 5th Congressional District for an interstate ride-along with a Landstar business capacity owner (BCO), followed by discussions with senior leadership about the transportation industry’s outlook and the vital role independent capacity providers play in sustaining the nation’s supply chain.

Throughout his public service career, Congressman Rutherford has used ride-alongs to remain closely connected to the communities he serves. During his twelve-year tenure as the Sheriff of Jacksonville, he routinely conducted ride-alongs for the same reason. Since his election to Congress after more than four decades in public service, Rutherford has continued this tradition through his Rutherford Ride-Along series, spending time with local organizations and businesses to better understand their operations and the people behind them. 

The day began at Landstar’s Jacksonville headquarters, where Congressman Rutherford met with Matt Miller, Vice President and Chief Safety & Operations Officer; Cory Seay, Vice President of Corporate Services and Chief of Staff; Shelly Seaton, Vice President of Safety and Compliance; and Michael Smith, a St. Augustine-based Landstar BCO. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Landstar operates an asset-light transportation model supported by a network of approximately 1,000 independent agents, more than 8,000 independent BCOs, over 1,300 employees, and access to 70,000 capacity providers.

The ride-along was made possible by Smith, a 25-year Landstar veteran, a Million Mile Safe Driver, and recipient of the organization’s highest driver honor, the Roadstar® award. Smith specializes in transporting highly sensitive and specialized freight, including military-related equipment and other critical shipments supporting national defense operations worldwide. Before they hit the road, Smith and Congressman Rutherford conducted a comprehensive pre-trip inspection of “Goldie,” Smith’s tractor, reviewing equipment, lighting, and securement procedures — standard practice for professional drivers and a mission-critical component of Landstar’s safety-first culture.

Together, they traveled to Landstar’s Field Operations Center (FOC) in St. Augustine, where the Congressman met with employees, fellow BCOs, and Mike Cashner, Vice President of Government Services. Conversations centered on secure freight transportation, defense-related logistics, and the operational support FOCs provide to help keep freight moving safely and efficiently every load, every day. Landstar operates six Field Operations Centers in the United States and one in Canada, offering BCOs access to training resources, equipment support, driver amenities, truck and trailer parking, and spaces for rest and connection while on the road. During a working lunch, the Congressman engaged with employees and BCOs, gaining insight into the daily realities of professional drivers traveling the nation’s highways.

“Opportunities like this provide valuable insight into the people and processes that keep our nation’s supply chains moving,” Congressman Rutherford said. “Professional drivers like Michael Smith play a critical role in delivering goods safely across America. I appreciate the opportunity to see firsthand the professionalism and commitment they bring to the job every day.”

Following lunch, Smith and the Congressman completed another safety check before returning to Jacksonville. Upon arrival at headquarters, Congressman Rutherford met with Landstar President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Lonegro, along with Miller and Seaton, to discuss the current state of freight transportation and Landstar’s key role in supporting logistics capacity.

Lonegro noted that experiences such as the ride-along highlight the essential contributions of independent owner-operators across the country — a perspective he shares firsthand, having participated in a ride-along himself. “As a company headquartered in Jacksonville, we appreciated the opportunity to welcome Congressman Rutherford, spend time with him face-to-face, and host this ride-along experience,” Lonegro said. “At Landstar, our independent business capacity owners deliver the specialized capacity, professionalism, and commitment to safety, security, and service that keep our nation’s essential supply chains moving.”

For Smith, the day also provided an opportunity to reflect on a lifelong calling. “I’ve known I wanted to be a truck driver since I was five years old,” Smith said. “I even joined the U.S. Army to learn how to drive trucks. After 25 years with Landstar, it remains my passion, and it was an honor to share what we do every day with the Congressman.”