Janelle Zielinski: Driving Compliance and Excellence in Transportation & Logistics
In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of transportation and logistics, few leaders embody passion, resilience, and innovation as strongly as Janelle Zielinski. With over 15 years of hands-on industry experience, she has navigated multiple roles in trucking, compliance, and operations, eventually founding QualiFleet Consulting LLC. Today, Janelle stands as a dynamic force in the logistics sector, serving not only as a CEO but also as an advocate for workforce development, compliance readiness, and organizational growth. Her journey reflects a mission to empower transportation companies, owner-operators, and teams with tools and strategies that simplify compliance and accelerate profits.
Janelle Zielinski’s Professional Journey
From Industry Roots to Leadership
Janelle’s career in transportation began at the ground level, where she witnessed firsthand the daily challenges drivers, dispatchers, and carriers faced. Her early roles in logistics, shipping, and compliance gave her critical insights into the structural gaps that many organizations struggle with. These experiences laid the foundation for her leadership style—one that emphasizes clarity, accountability, and proactive planning.
Throughout her career, she worked with major organisations, including Landstar, gaining exposure to fleet utilisation, recruitment, and qualification processes. These positions deepened her understanding of the intricate balance between regulatory compliance and operational performance. It was this combination of practical experience and strategic vision that inspired her to establish her consulting firm.
Founding of QualiFleet Consulting LLC
Vision and Mission
In November 2023, Janelle Zielinski founded QualiFleet Consulting LLC in Jacksonville, Florida. Her mission was clear: to provide tailored compliance and operational solutions for the transportation industry. She understood that many companies, especially smaller carriers and independent operators, often struggled with FMCSA regulations, DOT audits, HR documentation, and workforce alignment.
Through QualiFleet, she set out to change that narrative by offering results-driven consulting services that help clients not only meet standards but thrive beyond them.
Services and Solutions Offered
Under Janelle’s leadership, QualiFleet Consulting LLC has quickly established itself as a trusted partner for transportation companies. The firm’s core services include:
- FMCSA/DOT Audit Readiness – Preparing carriers for federal and state inspections with confidence.
- Compliance and Safety Support – Developing systems that minimize risks while maximizing performance.
- HR Documentation and SOP Creation – Crafting streamlined processes that align teams and improve efficiency.
- Workforce Re-Entry Training – Supporting individuals returning to the industry with structured education.
- Dispatcher Training Programs – Equipping new professionals with knowledge in load boards, logbooks, negotiations, and DOT regulations.
- Recruitment and Onboarding Support – Helping carriers attract and retain qualified drivers and staff.
Janelle’s focus on flexibility allows her programs to serve diverse clients—from owner-operators and schools to large carriers and community outreach initiatives.
Education and Professional Training
Academic Background
Janelle Zielinski is a proud graduate of Florida State College at Jacksonville, where she earned both an Associate of Science (AS) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Transportation and Materials Moving. Her educational journey, spanning from 2012 to 2023, provided her with strong foundations in logistics, compliance, and business management.
Her coursework and certifications covered essential skills such as DOT regulations, CSA scores, safety management, driver qualification files, and electronic logging devices. These academic achievements reinforced her real-world experience, allowing her to bridge classroom knowledge with field application.
Specialized Certifications
In addition to her degrees, Janelle pursued specialized training to enhance her expertise. In October 2024, she completed the Dispatcher Certification Course offered by the National Dispatch and Freight Certification Association. This comprehensive program equipped her with advanced knowledge in freight dispatching, documentation, negotiation, onboarding, and compliance regulations.
Her qualifications now extend to teaching dispatching professionally, enabling her to mentor aspiring logistics professionals and close the gap between entry-level and management opportunities.
Leadership Roles and Industry Involvement
BHS Global Logistics Advisory Board
Beyond her business, Janelle Zielinski has contributed to shaping the future of logistics education. Since August 2024, she has served as a Board Member on the BHS Global Logistics Advisory Board. In this role, she provides valuable guidance on workforce development programs, helping to prepare students for careers in transportation and logistics.
Her involvement reflects her belief in nurturing the next generation of industry leaders and building bridges between education and employment.
JAX Chamber Transportation & Logistics Council
In March 2025, Janelle further expanded her influence by joining the Transportation & Logistics Council under the JAX Chamber. As a board member, she actively represents one of Jacksonville’s most vital industries. While she does not yet hold an official leadership position, she is already preparing to step into the role of Vice President shortly.
Her focus within the council has been to promote innovation, encourage collaboration, and bring in diverse voices to strengthen Jacksonville’s position as a logistics hub. This leadership role highlights her commitment not only to her company but to the broader industry community.
Philosophy and Impact
Simplifying Complexity
Janelle Zielinski is driven by a philosophy that compliance and safety should not be barriers—they should be tools for growth. Her approach to consulting is built on simplifying complex processes, empowering clients with knowledge, and offering proactive strategies that align with long-term goals.
Supporting the Backbone of the Economy
She consistently emphasizes her respect for drivers, carriers, and logistics professionals, referring to them as the “backbone of our economy.” By supporting their operational and compliance needs, she ensures they can focus on delivering goods and services that keep the nation moving.
Programs with Purpose
From workforce boot camps to audit pre-support services, every program designed by Janelle reflects her dual commitment to compliance and profitability. She ensures that clients don’t just pass audits—they gain tools to operate more effectively and sustainably.
Skills and Expertise
Throughout her career, Janelle has developed a wide range of skills essential for logistics leadership:
- DOT Compliance and FMCSA Regulations
- Driver Qualification Files and CSA Scores
- Safety Operations and Electronic Log Devices
- Training and Workforce Development
- SOP Creation and HR Documentation
- Negotiation and Dispatching Excellence
- Cross-Team Collaboration and Business Analysis
These skills reflect not just technical expertise but also a leadership mindset focused on growth and innovation.
Conclusion
Janelle Zielinski is more than a CEO—she is a leader, mentor, and advocate for excellence in transportation and logistics. Through QualiFleet Consulting LLC, she continues to deliver high-impact solutions that simplify compliance, enhance operations, and ignite growth for carriers and operators across the industry.
Her roles on the BHS Global Logistics Advisory Board and the JAX Chamber Transportation & Logistics Council further highlight her commitment to shaping the future of logistics on both local and national levels.
Driven by purpose and fueled by over 15 years of experience, Janelle’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and service to an industry that powers the economy. As she often emphasizes: “Ignite Growth, Accelerate Profits”—a motto that not only defines her company but also embodies her professional mission.
