Biography of Lucas Shane Chittum
Lucas Shane Chittum of Tennessee, the driving force behind HCB Yachts, leads the prestigious builder of the HydraSports brand of fishing boats. His unwavering dedication and the collective efforts of his team have spearheaded the creation of a new market segment: center console yachts His innovative designs blend luxury fishing with high-end cruising, epitomized by his latest invention, the iKon bass boat. This high-performance fishing vessel features extensive automated controls, a top-tier suspension seat system, and enhanced handling capabilities for navigating rough waters
As the Chief Operating Officer at MasterCraft Boat Company in Knoxville, TN, he commenced his notable ascent in the marine industry. There, his leadership led to the facility becoming the first aquatic plant to gain ISO certification for manufacturing, safety, and environmental standards. His commitment to continuous education in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles greatly improved operational efficiencies and profitability at both HCB Yachts and MasterCraft
Following a six-year tenure in the United States Armed Forces, he pursued higher education at the University of Maryland, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Science with a major in Accounting His choice of study, motivated by a natural affinity for numbers, unknowingly set the stage for his future role in leading a significant boat manufacturing firm to public status in 2015
He also became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and earned a Six Sigma Black Belt, equipping him with the skills necessary to optimize operations across any company His journey in manufacturing management began with a position as an Auditor for Deloitte & Touché. He eventually moved to managerial roles at Lear Corporation and then Visteon, where he honed his skills in operational excellence
His tenure at Lear saw him managing multiple plant operations across the U S At the same time, his leadership at Visteon involved turning a substantial loss into a remarkable profit at three Mexico-based plants. This success earned him the Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence
In 2011, Lucas Shane Chittum's strategic acumen was further recognized when he joined MasterCraft as the COO There, he significantly increased the company's profitability, which culminated in the company's successful public offering. His efforts were acknowledged industry-wide when he received Industry Week's Manufacturing Excellence Award in 2014 He was also instrumental in launching MasterCraft's NXT series, enhancing the brand's corporate value.
In 2016, he took on the role of President at HCB Yachts, where he has continued to redefine the marine industry. Under his leadership, HCB Yachts has developed the world's largest center console yacht, the 65 Estrella, launched in 2019 and introduced the innovative iKon bass boat brand in 2023.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Lucas Shane Chittum remains passionate about wrestling. He serves as the USA Wrestling Director and contributed extensively to wrestling programs at various levels within the USA and Tennessee His commitment extends beyond financial support as he dedicates his time to mentoring young athletes within Southern wrestling programs, nurturing the next generation of talent.