Vlad Skots: From Truck Cab to Global Logistics, How USKO Turned Grit into Growth
How Ukrainian-American entrepreneur Vlad Skots transformed a one-truck dream into a $10M logistics powerhouse—while building bridges between continents, championing immigrant success, and reimagining the future of freight through tech.
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Ukrainian immigrant Vlad Skots built USKO from a single truck into a global logistics force — now, he’s using technology, resilience, and purpose to reshape an entire industry.
Vlad Skots: The Immigrant Entrepreneur Powering a Logistics Revolution
In 2025, USKO Inc. celebrates 19 years of resilient growth, community impact, and bold innovation. But behind the $10 million enterprise spanning the U.S., Mexico, Poland, and Ukraine is a story that began with one man, one truck, and an unshakable will to succeed.
From Rural Ukraine to American Roads
Born in a small Ukrainian village near the Belarusian border, Vlad Skots was one of ten brothers raised without modern amenities. His parents — steadfast in their values despite enduring religious persecution in Soviet times — taught him the power of hard work, humility, and faith. These lessons would become the cornerstone of his leadership.
In 2001, Skots immigrated to the United States at just 22 years old. He arrived with $1,000 in his pocket, no English, and a deep determination to succeed. Starting out as a janitor, he attended night classes to learn the language, worked construction and delivery jobs, and eventually earned his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). That single decision set in motion the birth of USKO in 2006.
USKO: Scaling from the Streets Up
Skots purchased an old Freightliner truck with borrowed funds and began driving solo across the continental U.S. Over time, that hands-on experience as a driver became the foundation for his leadership style: deeply operational, personally invested, and human-centered.
Today, USKO employs over 200 people and manages a network of more than 3,000 owner-operator trucks. But beyond the numbers, it represents a company built with empathy, persistence, and vision.
From Freight to Tech: Building Motion TMS
In true disruptor fashion, Vlad didn’t stop with freight. He led the creation of Motion TMS, USKO’s proprietary transportation management software, developed with real-life driver feedback and rooted in operational necessity.
“We didn’t build Motion to fix a broken system,” says Skots. “We built it because the system was failing the people who run it.” The software now powers USKO’s logistics and is being scaled as a SaaS product for small carriers seeking a competitive edge.
Cloud-based, mobile-enabled, and flexible, Motion TMS is Skots’ bid to level the playing field for smaller players in a fiercely competitive space.
Ukraine Roots, Global Impact
Despite his success in the U.S., Vlad Skots has never forgotten where he came from. Through the Ukrainian American House, which he co-founded, Skots champions cultural diplomacy and bilateral trade. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he sprang into action — deploying USKO trucks for humanitarian aid and military-grade equipment deliveries.
His own family remains in Ukraine. His brothers helped dig trenches near Kyiv. His parents still live in the same village. For Skots, his connection to Ukraine isn’t just emotional — it’s strategic. He’s now involved in rebuilding efforts and policies that link U.S.-Ukraine business and logistics ecosystems.
Leadership Rooted in Service
Skots sees leadership not as an ascent, but as a platform to elevate others. USKO’s workforce includes hundreds of immigrants and refugees, particularly from war-torn regions. Sacramento, now home to over 50,000 Ukrainians, has become the heart of this mission.
“America is about giving people a shot to build,” Skots says. “At USKO, we build businesses — and lives.”
Advice for the Next Generation
His biggest lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs? Learn everything.
“Before I built a fleet, I fixed my own truck. Before I ran dispatch, I answered the phones,” Skots recalls. “That kind of grit — knowing every bolt and system — is what keeps you moving when the storms hit. And they will.”
The Road Ahead
As USKO enters its 20th year, Vlad Skots isn’t coasting. Motion TMS is scaling, global operations are expanding, and the logistics industry is shifting faster than ever. For Skots, the mission is crystal clear: scale with integrity, empower with technology, and lead with heart.
Because for Vlad Skots, the journey is far from over — it’s just shifted into high gear.
