USA Truck has announced that Werner Hugo has joined its senior leadership team as senior vice president, trucking operations.

Hugo joins USA Truck from 7 Hills Transport, where he had served as chief operating officer. He joins President and CEO James Reed, Jason Bates, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Jim Craig, chief commercial officer and president of USAT Logistics, and Cheryl Stone, senior vice president of human resources, as recently appointed members of USA Truck’s revamped leadership team.

“Werner is an outstanding operational executive with a proven track record of enhancing enterprise value at a variety of trucking companies over the past 17 years,” said Reed. “He is known for his hands-on leadership style and willingness to work side-by-side in the field with his teams.”

Prior to his most recent role at 7 Hills Transport, Hugo served as vice president of operations and driver retention at CRST International. Additionally, he has nearly 15 years of experience as president and chief operating officer of three other trucking companies.

“Werner possesses a passion for teamwork, a focus on personnel development and a commitment to cross-functional collaboration,” said Reed. “This makes him a perfect fit with our strategy of adding leaders who embrace the intensity and accountability needed to continue enhancing our financial performance.”