MasterCraft names new CEO

MasterCraft Boat Holdings, Inc., parent entity of MasterCraft, NauticStar and Crest, today announced that its board of directors has named current board chair and interim chief executive officer, Frederick A. Brightbill, as the company’s new permanent CEO, effective immediately. Brightbill assumed the role of Interim CEO following Terry McNew’s resignation in October 2019.

Concurrently, Roch Lambert, CEO of Curt Group, an automotive product aftermarket manufacturer and distributor, was named as lead independent director of MasterCraft’s Board of Directors. He has served on the company’s board since 2016. Lambert has held many positions in the recreational boating industry, including CEO of Rec Boat Holdings and various positions with Bombardier U.S. Inc.

“On behalf of the Board and the entire organization, I’m excited to announce that Fred is assuming leadership at MasterCraft,” Lambert said. “After reviewing the business and in discussions with the board, it was clear that Fred possesses the intimate company knowledge, deep industry experience and leadership skills to grow and advance MasterCraft. Together with the company’s long-tenured leadership team, and seasoned and dedicated employees, we’re confident that he will continue to drive MasterCraft’s culture of innovation, market leadership, operational excellence and continuous improvement.”

Brightbill, a boating industry veteran, has served as a member of the company’s board of Directors since 2009, and was elected Chairman in 2015 concurrent with MasterCraft’s Initial Public Offering. Previously, he formed the Brunswick Corporation Aluminum Boat Group and has held 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 with high honors and received his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

“I’m humbled and honored to take on the CEO role at MasterCraft. This is a great company with a revered legacy in the performance sport boat industry,” Brightbill said. “Throughout the organization, we remain bullish on the long-term prospects of both the markets we serve and the brands we own. I look forward to taking MasterCraft to the next level in its evolution.”