Lawson, Harness named leaders at U.S. Xpress
Jake Lawson has been named chief commercial officer, and Justin Harness was promoted to president of the Dedicated division of U.S. Xpress Enterprises.
Lawson will move into Harness’s former role leading sales, pricing and customer engagement, while Harness will lead the company’s growing Dedicated business.
Lawson comes to U.S. Xpress from Whirlpool, where he held roles leading sales, merchandising, product development and e-commerce for some of the appliance-maker’s most popular products, including refrigeration, cooking, dishwashers and laundry. Most recently, he led sales and marketing for the company’s largest customer, Lowe’s.
“Partnering with our customers and defining the appropriate value propositions are critical for success, and it’s exciting for me to really dig in and elevate what sets U.S. Xpress apart,” said Lawson. “I also want to focus on our team development to help our people feel supported and mentored, understand their connection to the Company vision, and feel empowered to deliver great results.”
As U.S. Xpress moves towards becoming a true digital transportation solutions provider, much of the Company’s focus has been on growing its new driver-focused brand, Variant and introducing other innovative digital initiatives. However, its Dedicated division remains a vital segment of the Company’s business — accounting for 35%-40% of revenue — and key in continuing to grow market share.
Harness spent the bulk of his 20 years with U.S. Xpress in operations.