About

About Lucas Shane Chittum

Lucas Shane Chittum of Tennessee is president of HCB Yachts and a premiere builder of the HydraSports brand of fishing boats. Through his hard work at HCB Yachts and the dedication of his team, HCB Yachts created a new segment in the marine industry: center console yachts.

Chittum’s groundbreaking designs offer an optimum setting for luxury fishing and luxury cruising. Lucas also invented a new bass boat, iKon, a high-performance fishing boat that provides a full range of automated control features, a premium suspension seat system, precision handling for hard turns, and greater control in rough waters.

Lucas began his highly successful career in the marine industry as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of MasterCraft Boat Company, located in Knoxville, TN. It is here that Chittum began building an impressive career as a Manufacturing Executive. Chittum is credited with leading MasterCraft to become the first marine plant ever to become certified in ISO for manufacturing, safety, and environmental.

Always committed to continuous education, Chittum used his knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles to optimize factory and administrative processes at both HCB Yachts and MasterCraft, reducing product defects and improving overall profits.

Education

Lucas Shane Chittum from Tennessee decided to join the United States Armed Forces and completed his tour of duty after 6 years of exemplary service. He then attended the University of Maryland, receiving a Bachelor’s in Science with a major in Accounting. Lucas chose this degree path because he has always had an affinity for numbers, and it provides a gateway to a position in the financial industry. It is unlikely that Lucas could have foreseen the path that his business training would lead him to be COO of a highly successful boat manufacturer, which he helped take public in 2015.

In addition to his education to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), after pivoting into the manufacturing sector, Lucas immersed himself in learning the latest groundbreaking principles in manufacturing, Sigma Six and Lean Manufacturing. Chittum is a Six Sigma Black Belt, which means he has not only passed the test for Six Sigma certification but also has proven work experience and documented project completions for this highly esteem manufacturing certification. Along with his training in Lean Manufacturing processes, Chittum was primed to help any company fully optimize their front office and factory floor.

Transformational Business Manager

Lucas Chittum began his business accounting career in manufacturing administration and management. After a stint as an Auditor for Deloitte & Touché, Lucas joined the Lear Corporation as a Controller and Plant Manager and later Visteon, a leading automotive technology corporation, as Director of Global Operational Excellence. These executive manufacturing positions likely gave Chittum deep insight into the complex cost structures and traditional operating principles associated with a manufacturing company.

While at Lear, Chittum successfully handled plant operations in Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio plants. He went on to act as Director of Global Operational Excellence for Visteon, where he was placed in charge of plant operations in 3 Mexico-based plants and turned one plant from a $24 million loss to a $10 million gain in 3 years. The result of his hard work was being awarded the Shingo Prize Examiner and the highly coveted Shingo Prize for Manufacturing Excellence, both of which are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated continuous business improvements.

Innovative Marine Craft Executive

Lucas Shane Chittum, who resides in Tennessee, joined the MasterCraft Boat Company as Chief Operating Officer in 2011. He was instrumental in taking the company from a $1 million profit to a $42 million profit in just five years, at which time the company went public. Chittum’s phenomenal business insights won him industry-wide acclaim, and he was honored with Industry Week’s Manufacturing Excellence Award in 2014.

Under the helm of Chittum and other executive team members, MasterCraft became the first marine plant ever to become certified in ISO for manufacturing, safety, and environmental best practices. However, Chittum was acknowledged for establishing the company’s highly successful operating principles and launching a new corporate value brand called the NXT series.

Chittum went on to join the executive ranks of HCB Yachts as President in 2016. He is credited with the evolution of the HydraSports Brand and created a new yacht company called HCB Yachts. – which is known for building the world’s largest center console yachts and offering a unique ownership experience. He is credited with establishing this new segment in the marine industry, now known as Center Console Yachts. In 2019, Lucas designed and launched the world’s largest center console yacht – the 65 Estrella, and created a new bass boat brand called iKon in 2023 with over 40 new product features.

Personal Life

In his spare time, Lucas Shane Chittum is a wrestling fan. He is also the USA Wrestling Director and a major donor for the USA and Tennessee state wrestling programs at the high school, college, and club levels. For many years, Lucas has been volunteering as a mentor for youth enrolled in Southern wrestling programs.