Landstar System has recognized 18 of its owner-operators, which it calls business capacity owners, as Landstar Roadstars.


This lifetime achievement award is the highest level of recognition a BCO can receive at Landstar. BCO is Landstar's term for the independent contractors who provide the company with transportation capacity under exclusive lease arrangements.

This year's class of Landstar Roadstars was acknowledged at a dinner in their honor during Landstar's annual convention in Marco Island, Florida.

Only a select few BCOs are honored each year. These 18 men were chosen out of more than 8,000 current Landstar BCOs. The addition of this year's class raises the total number of Landstar Roadstars to 242 who have been honored since the company began presenting the award in 1990.

Roadstars are chosen for their consistently high levels of safety, productivity and excellent customer service. Each has also been previously recognized as a Landstar Million Mile Safe Driver.

"The level of skills, professionalism and dedication that these 18 BCOs have demonstrated is truly worthy of this recognition. They represent the very best in safety, entrepreneurship and customer service that the trucking industry has to offer," said Landstar President and CEO Henry Gerkens. "We are proud to be associated with BCOs of this caliber and hold them up as our very best."

The Class of 2008 Landstar Roadstars inducted this year are:

* Larry Bryson of Kirkwood, N.Y.;
* Malcolm Corse of Quinton, Okla.;
* Bob Degler of Auburn, Pa.;
* Don Fore of McFall, Mo.;
* Ben Heddendorp of Picacho, Ariz.;
* Ray King of Newton Falls, Ohio;
* Don Ledford of Oklahoma City;
* Larry Leslie of Oak Grove, Ky.;
* Mike Mason of Pembroke, N.H.;
* Gary Myers of Old Bridge, N.J.;
* Bernard Osburn of Mount Airy, N.C.;
* James Parker of Escondido, Calif.;
* Brian Simpson of Alton, Mo.;
* Oscar Velasquez of Anaheim, Calif.;
* Terry Walter of Muncy, Pa.;
* Charles Warren of Semmes, Ala.;
* Joe Westleigh of Woolwich, Maine; and
* Wesley Younes of Cleveland, Tenn.