Jim Smith Joins TransForce as VP of Safety and Compliance

At TransForce, safety has never been a talking point. It's the foundation on which every driver placement, every carrier partnership, and every mile on the road is built. Today, we're putting that commitment into action with an appointment that reflects exactly who we are and where we're headed.

TransForce is proud to welcome Jim Smith, MS, CSP, to the team as VP of Safety and Compliance. With more than 25 years of transportation safety leadership and a career shaped at some of the most respected names in the industry, Jim brings world-class expertise directly to the drivers and partner carriers who count on us every day.

 “In a staffing environment, safety starts before the engine turns over—it begins with how we recruit, train, and support our drivers. My goal is to ensure every professional we place is set up to succeed safely from day one. Having known the leadership team at Transforce for many years, I’m excited to know that they have the commitment to support these goals.” Jim Smith, MS, CSP  

The transportation industry is at an inflection point. As fleets grow more complex and compliance demands intensify, the difference between a good safety program and a great one isn't just operational, it's deeply human. It's about whether drivers feel protected, supported, and set up to succeed. It's about whether partner carriers can trust that every placement comes backed by rigorous standards and genuine accountability.

Jim understands that better than almost anyone.

About Jim Smith, MS, CSP

Jim Smith is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Six Sigma Black Belt, and OSHA Authorized Trainer, a combination that equips him to lead safety not just as a compliance function, but as a strategic, data-driven discipline. He holds a Master of Science in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

PepsiCo — Senior Director, Fleet Safety & Compliance (2023–2025)

Most recently, Jim served as Senior Director of Fleet Safety and Compliance at PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA), where he led enterprise-wide fleet safety strategy across the United States and Canada. He drove measurable reductions in incidents and compliance gaps, operationalized DOT and FMCSA programs at scale, and built a safety culture that ran from frontline operations all the way to the executive suite. Jim's ability to align safety strategy with business goals across HR, Finance, Legal, and Fleet is what sets him apart as a leader.

Employbridge — Vice President of Safety (2016–2023)

Before PepsiCo, Jim spent nearly thirteen years at Employbridge, the nation's largest staffing company, ultimately serving as Vice President of Specialty Safety. He led safety programs across transportation, logistics, manufacturing, and energy sectors, protecting workers and clients at scale across North America. It was here that Jim refined his ability to build safety cultures that don't just meet compliance standards, they raise them.

Penske Logistics — Area & Regional Safety Manager (2000–2010)

Jim's foundation was built over a decade at Penske Logistics, progressing from Area Safety Manager to Regional Safety Manager. These years gave him deep, hands-on expertise in fleet operations and the day-to-day realities of keeping professional drivers safe on the road, a grounding that continues to shape his leadership approach today.

What This Means for TransForce Drivers and Partner Carriers

Jim's appointment is a direct investment in the people and partners at the core of our business. For the drivers in the TransForce network, it means an even stronger commitment to the programs, standards, and culture that keep them safe on every route.

For our partner carriers, it means something more. Jim is a resource. With 25+ years of hands-on experience building safety programs at enterprise scale, Jim is here to help our carrier partners make their businesses safer, too. Whether it's compliance strategy, fleet safety culture, or navigating the complexities of DOT and FMCSA requirements, our partners now have direct access to one of the most experienced safety minds in the industry.

That's what a true partnership looks like. At TransForce, we've spent over 30 years perfecting the driver employment journey. Jim Smith is here to make sure safety is embedded in every mile of it, for our drivers, and for every carrier we're proud to call a partner.

About TransForce

TransForce is the leader in CDL driver solutions. For over 30 years, we have been perfecting and innovating the driver's employment journey: from obtaining a CDL license and securing the first job, to the very last mile. TransForce takes its expertise to market in the form of tech-enabled and efficient CDL driver recruitment, staffing, and outsourcing solutions powered by our network of 1 million drivers. More than 3,000 carriers nationwide choose TransForce as a partner for their CDL driver needs.