MasterCraft makes leadership transition following McNew departure

MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc., parent entity of MasterCraft, NauticStar and Crest, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed current Board Chair, Frederick A. Brightbill, as interim chief executive officer, effective immediately. Brightbill’s appointment follows Terry McNew’s decision to step down as president, chief executive officer and a director of the company to pursue an opportunity outside of the boating industry. Brightbill is expected to serve until the company completes a search and appoints a new chief executive officer.

“On behalf of the Board and the entire organization, I would like to thank Terry for his leadership, steadfast dedication and service to MasterCraft over the past seven years,” said Brightbill. “I am excited to take on the role of Interim CEO and work alongside MasterCraft’s long-tenured, industry-veteran leadership team and seasoned and dedicated employees responsible for driving the company’s culture of innovation, operational excellence and continuous improvement.”

Brightbill, a boating industry veteran, is a principal of Brightbill Advisors, a management consulting firm, and has served as a member of the company’s board of directors since 2009. He previously served as principal at Vantage Development and JB Acquisitions. Prior to that, Brightbill served as president of the Aluminum Boat Group at Brunswick Corporation and in various leadership roles at Mercury Marine, including president of the Outboard Business Unit and Integrated Operations Division.

He graduated with a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and received his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

While Brightbill assumes the role of Interim CEO effective immediately, McNew will remain with the company through Nov. 8 to ensure a seamless transition. The company’s Board is engaging an executive search firm to assist in finding a permanent successor to McNew.

“As a Board, we’re confident in the Company’s ability to continue to perform through this transition and we remain bullish on the long-term prospects of both the markets we serve and the brands we own,” concluded Brightbill. “We look forward to updating you on our progress during our fiscal 2020 first-quarter earnings call on Nov. 7.”