Stingray Boats expands leadership team in Hartsville

Stingray Boats, a Hartsville fiberglass boat manufacturer since 1979, has expanded its leadership team with a new president and several executives.

Stingray said in a news release the company is entering a new era of growth and has brought on a group of leaders whose collective expertise spans engineering, operations, finance and global sales. The executive team includes Chad Helms, president and chief manufacturing officer; Mike Youngblood, vice president and global director of sales and marketing; Warren Felkel, vice president and chief financial officer; Drew Gantt, director of engineering; and Blake Caudle, senior director of business operations.

“Stingray has always been guided by innovation and integrity,” Barry Avent, chairman of the board and former president, said in the news release. “I am incredibly proud of the team we have built and confident in their leadership as they guide Stingray into its next chapter. With their expertise, Stingray is positioned to reach new heights in both craftsmanship and customer experience.”

• President and CMO Helms joined Stingray in 2025 following more than 20 years with Fortune 500 companies DuPont and Sonoco Products Co. Chad brings deep expertise in manufacturing operations, supply chain management and process optimization.
• Felkel, vice president and CFO, joined in 2024 and brings 17 years of accounting and finance experience from stints at Grant Thornton, SCANA Corp., and Sonoco Products Co., where he also developed skills of strategic planning, business growth and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Youngblood, VP and global director of sales and marketing, joined in 2025 after nine years as national sales manager for Sea Pro Boats and four decades in retail and wholesale management, including multiple business ownerships.
• Gantt, director of engineering, is a leader in boat design and production. With advanced proficiency in AutoCAD and Rhino 3D, he leads a multifunctional engineering team that brings innovative designs to life while upholding the highest standards, including those set by the American Boat and Yacht Council, according to the release.
• Caudle, senior director of business operations, brings strong operational and purchasing acumen, the release stated, honed through his background in manufacturing purchasing and production planning. With skills in supplier negotiation, cost management and product analysis, Caudle ensures Stingray’s business operations remain efficient, strategic and value-driven.

“Our people are the heart of Stingray,” Helms said in the release. “Each member of our leadership team brings a unique perspective and skill set that fuels innovation, strengthens dealer relationships, and ensures we continue building boats that deliver performance and pride to our customers.”

Al Fink, founder of Stingray Boats, continues to serve as an active board member.

Founded in 1979, Stingray Boats is a manufacturer of fiberglass recreational boats. The company says it built a reputation with technology such as the patented Z-Plane hull.

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