Rob Hannah is CEO and Managing Partner of Chicago Yacht Works, which he acquired in 2012 when it operated as little more than a storage-only facility. Coming from a commercial real estate background, he saw an opportunity others had missed: that space paired with services carries far more value than storage treated as a bare commodity.
Under Hannah's leadership, Chicago Yacht Works grew into a full-service marine operation combining boat sales, a service center, rental and charter programs, and storage, and he established the Chicago Yacht Academy, one of only four accredited powerboating schools in the country and the only one in Chicago. The company also became the Formula Midwest Factory Showroom and the Midwest representative for Zar and Zar Mini boats.
Hannah has pushed the business toward greater efficiency through technology, installing computer-controlled heating and high-efficiency LED lighting and integrating text messaging with the company's Salesforce system, work that helped earn the company a spot on Inc. Magazine's list of fastest-growing companies. He continues to focus on process and technology upgrades, including a web-based portal for customers to manage bills and invoices.
