Lucas Shane Chittum

Manufacturing, Boating & Marine

Lucas Shane Chittum of Tennessee, as the President of HCB Yachts, has pioneered a transformative segment in the marine industry with the introduction of center console yachts. His dedication and the collective efforts of his team have revolutionized the HydraSports brand of fishing boats. Under his leadership, the company launched iKon, a high-performance bass boat featuring advanced automated controls, a premium suspension seat system, and enhanced maneuverability for challenging marine environments.

His notable career began as the Chief Operating Officer at MasterCraft Boat Company in Knoxville, TN, where he emerged as a prominent Manufacturing Executive. He was instrumental in making MasterCraft the first marine plant to achieve ISO certification for manufacturing, safety, and environmental standards. His commitment to lifelong learning and application of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles substantially improved operational efficiencies and profitability at both HCB Yachts and MasterCraft.

After serving six years in the United States Armed Forces, he attended the University of Maryland, earning a Bachelor's degree in Science with a major in Accounting. His affinity for numbers drove this academic pathway, which later facilitated his role as COO of a highly successful boat manufacturer that went public in 2015.

Additionally, he is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He holds a Six Sigma Black Belt, qualifications that have equipped him to optimize both the administrative and manufacturing processes in his companies. His career in business accounting began with a stint as an Auditor for Deloitte & Touché, after which he held significant roles at Lear Corporation and then Visteon. He managed multiple plant operations across Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio. He later turned a considerable loss into a substantial gain for Visteon's operations in Mexico, earning him the Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence.

In 2011, he joined MasterCraft as COO and played a crucial role in boosting the company's profits significantly, which led to its public listing. His leadership was recognized with Industry Week's Manufacturing Excellence Award in 2014. He was also pivotal in developing the NXT series, enhancing the company's brand value.

In 2016, Lucas Shane Chittum advanced to become President of HCB Yachts, where he further innovated the marine industry by developing the HydraSports brand into a segment known as Center Console Yachts. He spearheaded the launch of the 65 Estrella, the world's largest center console yacht, in 2019 and recently introduced a groundbreaking bass boat brand, iKon, in 2023.

Outside his professional commitments, he is deeply involved in wrestling. He serves as the USA Wrestling Director and is a significant donor to wrestling programs in the USA and Tennessee. He also mentors young athletes in Southern wrestling programs, contributing to the development of the sport at multiple levels.