In 2025, USKO Inc. marked 19 years in operation. What began as a one-truck journey for Ukrainian-born entrepreneur Vlad Skots is now a global logistics enterprise with a presence across the U.S., Mexico, Poland, and Ukraine. But the real story lies in the mindset behind the numbers.
Grounded Beginnings, Global Vision
Vlad Skots grew up in a rural Ukrainian village, one of ten brothers, in a home without amenities or access to modern infrastructure. His early life was shaped by manual labor, deep-rooted family values, and the quiet strength of his parents, who, despite religious persecution during Soviet times, instilled in him the principles of hard work, faith, and service.
In 2001, Vlad Skots immigrated to the United States at the age of 22. With as much as $1,000 to his name and no English, he took a janitorial job while attending language school. Later, he worked in construction and delivery before deciding to earn his CDL and become a truck driver. That choice sparked the launch of USKO in 2006.
From the Cab to the Boardroom
Vlad Skots’ first truck was an old Freightliner he purchased after borrowing money. He drove across all 48 contiguous states, experiencing firsthand the physical and operational challenges of the industry. Today, USKO generates over $10 million annually, employs a team of 200+, and manages an owner-operator fleet of more than 3,000 vehicles.
Turning Logistics into Ecosystems
Rather than operate in a silo, Vlad Skots expanded USKO into IT. Motion TMS, USKO’s in-house Transportation Management System, now serves as both the company’s operational backbone and its latest software-as-a-service offering for the broader industry. Developed with real fleet data and driver feedback, Motion is cloud-based, mobile-enabled, and scalable.
“We didn’t build Motion to fix a broken system. We built it because the system was failing the people who run it,” says Vlad Skots. “This is about giving small fleets and owner-operators the same tools big carriers have—so they can finally compete and win.”
U.S.-Ukraine: Building Bridges
Throughout USKO’s growth, Vlad Skots has maintained strong ties to Ukraine. As the founder of the Ukrainian American House, he champions cultural diplomacy and economic cooperation. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Vlad Skots mobilized USKO’s resources to deliver humanitarian aid and military-grade equipment to Ukrainian defenders.
His family remains in Ukraine, including parents who still live in the home near the Belarusian border. Vlad Skots’ brothers helped dig trenches outside Kyiv. His connection to the region is both personal and political, and it fuels his advocacy for policies that strengthen U.S.-Ukraine ties in business, logistics, and reconstruction.
Leadership as Rebuilding
Vlad Skots doesn’t see leadership as climbing a ladder—it’s about lifting others up. His team includes hundreds of immigrants and refugees, many who came to Sacramento escaping war. For Vlad, leadership means building futures, not just businesses.
“Sacramento became home to over 50,000 Ukrainians. It reminded me that America, at its core, is about giving people a chance to build,” he says. “That’s what we’re doing every day at USKO.”
Real Lessons for Future Entrepreneurs
Vlad Skots keeps it simple: know every part of your business.
“Before I built a fleet, I fixed my own truck. Before I ran dispatch, I answered the phones. That hands-on knowledge is what keeps you going when everything starts falling apart—and it will.”
USKO’s 19th anniversary isn’t the finish line — it’s just a checkpoint. With Motion growing fast and the logistics world getting tougher, Vlad Skots’ focus is clear: scale smart, take care of the team, lead with tech, and build something that lasts.
