Transportation Safety Consultant in North Kingstown, RI

Jeff Smith – Transportation Safety Leader & Industry Advocate

With over two decades of leadership in transportation and logistics, Jeff Smith brings a wealth of experience, strategic vision, and deep industry insight into the world of transportation safety consulting. As the founder of JSS Transportation Safety Consulting, LLC, Jeff leverages a career built on operational excellence, regulatory expertise, and a passion for safety innovation.

Most recently, Jeff served as the Senior Manager of Transportation & Logistics at Ocean State Job Lot—a discount retailer operating out of a 1.3 million square foot distribution center in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Under his leadership, the company’s private fleet of 60 power units, 500+ trailers, and 100 container chassis supported over 170 retail locations. Jeff oversaw all aspects of fleet operations including backhaul coordination, port drayage, and for-hire services. The fleet played a key role in OSJL’s growth strategy of opening 8–12 stores annually and supported the company’s charitable foundation by delivering donated goods to more than 909 community organizations in 2022 alone.

Before joining OSJL, Jeff held the position of Regional Distribution Manager at Schwan’s Consumer Brands, where he managed frozen food logistics across New England. His career also includes more than 20 years in the baking industry, culminating in his role as Director of Transportation for Gold Medal Bakery in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Jeff’s commitment to advancing transportation safety is reflected in his longstanding involvement with the Rhode Island Trucking Association (RITA). For nearly 20 years, he has served in various leadership roles—including ATA State Vice President, Safety Council member, and currently, Executive Board Treasurer. He’s also an active member of the American Trucking Associations Safety Council and the National Private Truck

Council, and a frequent speaker at industry conventions on critical safety topics.

A veteran of the Rhode Island Air National Guard, Jeff served as an Air Cargo Specialist for 21 years, retiring in 2001. He holds a degree in Logistics from the Community College of the Air Force and is a graduate of the Noncommissioned Officer Academy.

Awards & Recognition

Jeff and his team(s) have been recognized multiple times for outstanding performance in transportation safety and fleet operations:

• Three-time recipient of the Rhode Island Trucking Association’s Fleet of the Year Award, celebrating top-tier fleet management and safety performance across the state.
• Twice honored with the Trimble Safety Innovators Award, a testament to Jeff’s forward-thinking approach to integrating safety technologies and practices.
• Recipient of the American Trucking Associations’ President’s Award for Safety in the under 5-million-mile category—one of the industry’s most prestigious safety accolades, recognizing individual excellence in safety leadership.