The Blank School engages Babson community members and leads research to create entrepreneurial leaders.
Chip Johns
Entrepreneur in Residence and Family Entrepreneurial Leadership Program Moderator, Bertarelli Institute for Family Entrepreneurship
Chip is a seasoned leader, manager, and advisor with broad experience growing and managing a variety of manufacturing companies. Chip’s experience includes project management for a DoD contractor, growing a branded sporting equipment manufacturer from start up to being an industry leader, leading a cultural and financial turn-around of two different manufacturers, and advising a number of established manufacturing or start up enterprises.
Chip is currently the President at Edson Marine, a small manufacturer of sailboat steering systems, boating accessories, and industrial pumps and pump systems. Chip acquired Edson, a 165 year old manufacturing business, in 2021.
Prior to acquiring Edson, Chip was the President and CEO of Butler Automatic. Chip’s role at Butler as the first non-family President/CEO included leading a turn-around of the company and re-building the management and sales team to execute the turn-around.
Prior to Butler, Chip founded and built Vanguard Sailboats, owner of the Sunfish and Laser brands, into an industry leader in the marine industry. Chip built Vanguard Sailboats from start-up into an industry leader through new product development, organic growth, and several acquisitions. Chip developed a highly motivated and dedicated management team that grew the business at 26% CAGR over 21 years. Chip managed the sale of Vanguard to a European competitor in 2007.
Just out of college, Chip worked in the Defense Electronics industry as an Engineer and a Program Manager for a DoD contractor involved in the Anti-Submarine Warfare market. Chip lead various teams in development and production projects. During his time as an engineer Chip was granted a patent for conceiving and developing a plastic, blow molded housing for electronics to be used in an ASW system.