Family owned & Operated Since 1920
Four Star Transportation’s roots go back to the earliest highways cleared and buildings constructed in the Detroit Skyline. Founded by the C.J. Rogers Co. in 1920, the construction and transportation businesses were purchased by the founder’s son-in-law, William H. Leoni, who became the head of the C.J. Rogers companies in 1974. In 1994, current owner and president Michael C. Leoni, William’s son, took over the helm and re-named the company, Four Star Transportation.
Timeline
Founded by Chas. J. Rogers Inc. in 1920, Four Star Transportation’s roots go back to the earliest highways cleared and buildings constructed in the Detroit Skyline.
In 1935, Chas. J. Rogers Transportation Co. began transporting plaster commodities out of River Rouge, MI and Gypsum, OH. The year 2025 marks 90 years of business hauling building materials and other commodities.
Chas. J. Rogers Transportation Co. established itself as a major steel hauler in the Midwest. The company quickly became known as “Specialized Steel Haulers” in the Metro Detroit area, working as a carrier partner to new automotive manufacturing plants. Pictured here is one of the first Mack trucks to be retrofitted as a flatbed for specialized hauls in the 1940s.
Charles J. Rogers, Inc. was a very prominent heavy contractor in the Detroit area for many years, performing heavy excavation jobs. Pictured here is the Davison Freeway built in 1944 by Chas. J. Rogers Inc. The second photo captures one of C.J. Roger’s freeway widening jobs near the Davison Freeway looking south at 3rd near Wildemere Avenue. Eventually, after his death a proclamation was made to name the intersection of the highway after him.
Chas. J. Rogers Inc. served as a key player in the construction of the major interchange linking two of the country’s earliest limited-access freeways, the Detroit Industrial Expressway and the Edsel Ford Expressway. When the interstate system was established in the 1950s, the combined route appropriated for Interstate 94 (I-94) illustrated how highways moved from serving wartime needs to fueling post-war prosperity.
One of Mr. Rogers last public appearances was at the official opening of a section of the Chrysler Freeway I-75, for which he served as a primary contractor. Using a hammer from Walter P. Chrysler’s tool box, veteran road builder Charles J. Rogers hits a chisel to cut a ribbon opening 8 miles of I-75 Chrysler Freeway. The honorary “Charles J Rogers Interchange” sign can still be seen along that same freeway today. Roger’s legacy and impact on the early construction of Detroit and its surrounding areas will never be forgotten.
The construction and transportation businesses were purchased by the founder’s son-in-law, William Leoni, who became the head of the C.J. Rogers companies in 1974.
These original Macks were restored by Charles J. Roger’s son-in-law, William H. Leoni Sr., in 1974. These trucks are chain-drive Macks used in the 1920s through the mid-1950s primarily for dirt moving jobs. They can be found at the Mack Truck Historical Museum in Allentown, PA.
In a partnership with Arrow Industries, Four Star president Michael Leoni helped deliver the first chain-driven Conestoga trailer in the United States. This specialized trailer was specifically designed to haul steel blanks for major automotive customer General Motors. This industry innovation marked the first of many by the company to provide extraordinary service to its loyal customer base.
In 1994, current owner and president Michael Leoni, William’s son, took over the helm and re-named the company, Four Star Transportation. In this same year, Four Star celebrated the grand opening of its second largest terminal today, located in East Chicago, Indiana.
Four Star Transportation demonstrated again why it is truly a solutions carrier for its customers. Four Star’s President, Michael Leoni, patented the Armadillo Trailer, a truck trailer body with sliding nestable canopies. The specialized design of the Armadillo allowed for greater efficiency during cargo securement to service Four Star’s largest steel customers. As a result of this patented design, Four Star established a needed adjustment to the Michigan Public Service Commission over width law from 102” to 108” for class A freight.
Four Star was chosen by the United States Gypsum Company to represent as the top carrier in Chicagoland at the USG Sheetrock 400. Four Star was proud to take a few laps around the Chicagoland Speedway in the pre-race ceremony.
Four Star Transportation celebrates 100 years of family ownership across four generations. Only 3% of family businesses survive to the 4th generation – a testament to Four Star’s longevity. Four Star’s legendary customer service and decades of solution-driven excellence extends well into the 21st century and beyond.
