Heroes On and Off the Highway

Awarding the Star of Quality in March & April 2021

Landstar independent BCO Lloyd Tubbs is being hailed a hero by a local fire department in Wisconsin for his assistance at the scene of an accident this spring.

According to Tubbs’ social media post on April 20, 2021, he had safely delivered a load and was traveling through the City of Wisconsin Rapids, when a car in front of his truck was involved in an accident at an intersection and caught fire.

“This is why I carry three fire extinguishers,” said Tubbs. “On my way home a bad accident occurred and one car was on fire. Some motorists and I helped the people in the car, and I used my fire extinguishers to keep the fire down until the fire department arrived and doused it completely.”

Tubbs’ actions earned him a platinum-level Star of Quality Award, reserved for members of the Landstar network who go above and beyond in representing the freight transportation industry while faced with life or death situations.

The Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department commended Tubbs for his assistance with the fire. According to Battalion Chief Mike Lisitza, because of Tubbs and the actions of other good Samaritans that day, no one was injured in the car fire.

Tubbs is a Roadstar® and Two Million Mile Safe Driver at Landstar. This is the second platinum Star of Quality Award the BCO has received since leasing to Landstar in 2003.

Each month, nominated, deserving independent business capacity owners (BCOs) and freight agents are awarded a bronze, silver, gold or platinum Star of Quality lapel pin, which recognize extra efforts and individual dedication to service.

Landstar BCO John Villanueva was nominated for his Star of Quality Award for how he helped others during a snowstorm in San Antonio, Texas.

“John was at a truck stop during the storms in February where many didn’t have food, water or diesel during that time. John keeps his truck fully stocked with food and was able to feed some of the drivers who were stranded there. Thank you John for everything you do,” wrote Sonja Latham, an employee in Landstar’s contractor services department, when nominating the BCO.

 


Congratulations to the members of Landstar network who were awarded a Star of Quality Award in March and April 2021:

Platinum:

*Lloyd Tubbs

*Landstar’s Platinum Star of Quality Award is only given in exceptional circumstances, intended for Landstar ”heroes of the highway” who are faced with a life or death situation.

Gold:

Dennis Dale Adams, Charrance Ashay Boyd*, Robert Bruce Boyle*, Stephen J. Campbell, Anthony Chiusolo*, Gregory Michael Gressley*, Ronald C. Haddan*, Robert Kimble, Joseph M. Kren*, David A. Mack, Gene Douglas Tunney*, Larry S. Wheeler*, Warren A. Wylds*

*Recipients have received multiple Gold Star of Quality awards.

Silver:

Vincent Joseph Bascone, Wade Allen Burns Jr., James Edward Cook, Bobby Ray Gilbreath, William Marcus Ireland, Ivan Pavlovich Mikhov, Anthony T. Pennello III, Zbigniew Joseph Rajca, Lorenzo Antonio Reynoso Hernandez, Michael Ross

Bronze:

Fidel Abella, Radica Bascone, Bradley Alan Bergman, Lloyd Henry Breaux Jr., Pierre A. Dakono, Richard Senyo Kwasi Dodor, Jaime Favela, Jared Olatrangi Ford, Abel Gallegos Franco, Daniel A. Gokey, Harland B. Gower Jr., Bryson Lavon Harris, Vernon Hawthorne, Carlos Herrera, Abdi Sheikh Ibrahim Sr., James Edward Jefferson Jr., Mykhaylo Mandzyuk, Pavel P. Mikhov, Yuriy Mikhov, Vitality Paulovich Mikhov, Armando Pagan, Rosa Maria Pagan, Hugo Enrique Reyes, William Howard Rice, Kenny W. Robinson, Kelly Roman, Louis Stephen Salzarulo, Billy Joe Stallard, Gene A. Thigpen Jr., Clifton G. Thompson, Jaime E. Vernier Sr., John A. Villanueva, Branch Kirkland Walton, Stephen Douglas Webb, James Kent Whitt, Rosa Marie Whitt, Gary Wonner

If you would like to nominate a member of the Landstar network for a Star of Quality Award, please email: StarQ@Landstar.com.

Moving Shaba, A Decommissioned F-117 Nighthawk

Landstar Agent Mike Thompson and Business Capacity Owners Brian and Lisa Clevenger made headlines when a certain F-117 Nighthawk was photographed during transport for Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® in 2019.
The Nighthawk’s move to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library was even featured as a cover story in The Road to Success® magazine.

So, when the opportunity came to plan the logistics for another Lockheed fighter jet, Thompson, the agency owner of D&M Transportation Inc., felt like he shouldn’t brag about the move. However, his customer Air Zoo thought the arrival of its new F-117 nicknamed Shaba really was something to boast about.

The first operational Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk released for public display east of the RockiesAffectionately called the Kalamazoo Air Zoo by air enthusiasts, the Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum in Michigan had been waiting more than a year to announce the transport of the aircraft.

“I really can’t believe the time has finally come, to sign for and start this exciting journey back to Southwest Michigan with the first operational Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk released for public display east of the Rockies,” Air Zoo President and CEO Troy Thrash announced via press release November 30, 2020. Additionally, Thrash explained he would join the three Landstar BCOs Brian and Lisa Clevenger, and Zach Lindler to document the plane’s transport from Tonopah, Nevada.

By Dec. 2, Air Zoo’s social media channels were buzzing with excitement as Shaba began its 2,000 mile-long haul. The museum shared daily social media updates about the BCO trucks hauling the F-117 fuselage and wings through photos, videos, and live commentary.

With the plane’s wings secured to his trailer, Landstar BCO Zach Lindler was the first truck to arrive at Air Zoo. “We are so excited to welcome the first truck carrying the wings of the F-117 Nighthawk Shaba to Kalamazoo!”

Air Zoo continued to document the project’s progress via social media from the unloading of the wings to the arrival of the 100-foot long, 20-foot wide fuselage.

Flatbed Haul - Wings of Shaba Decommissioned Nighthawk F-117Nine days after leaving Nevada, the Clevengers made the final turn toward the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. In parade-like fashion, the truck was greeted by eager onlookers, waiting to catch a glimpse of the well-traveled stealth fighter jet.

“Because of the professionalism and experience of Landstar BCOs, customers like Air Zoo have enough confidence in our services that they invited the community to watch as the Nighthawk arrived,” said Landstar Agent Mike Thompson. “I know I said that I didn’t want to brag too much, but yes, transporting Shaba was something to brag about.”

The restoration of Shaba, the decommissioned Nighthawk F-117 (tail No. 817), is expected to take a year. The public is invited to view is the restoration while at the Air Zoo Discovery Center. To learn more about Shaba’s journey and watch the video footage of the Landstar BCOs’ trek to Michigan visit www.AirZoo.org.

Watch Shaba’s journey to the Air Zoo, and the ongoing restoration of the F-117 Nighthawk: