Name: Robert (Bob) Lauter Title: CEO Company, city: Master Spas, Inc.; Fort Wayne, Ind. Number of employees: 400-plus Recent project: I just finished a six-year term as the president of the International Hot Tub Association, the spa and hot tub industry’s trade association. First job: Delivering newspapers Little-known fact about you: I worked as a ski instructor and boxed in Golden Gloves.

Your Business

Essential business philosophy: Treating our employees, vendors and customers like family Best way to keep a competitive edge: Develop a culture of innovation. Consumers are still willing to pay a premium for innovations. Yardstick of success: We measure success in many ways. Quality surveys, awards and consumer surveys are just a few; how our sales compare to our industry is the most important measure. Consumers vote with their dollars; so if you are profitably taking market share, you are succeeding.

Robert Lauter as a Traveler

What is the most important item you take when traveling? Besides my iPhone, it’s my Bose noise-canceling ear buds. How do you spend your time on board? Reading, watching movies on my phone or listening to audio books What is your favorite restaurant in the world? Victor Café in Philadelphia What is your favorite destination in the world? New Hampshire or Jamaica, depending on the time of year

About Master Spas, Inc.

Tell our readers about Master Spas’ history. Our history goes all the way back to 1978 when we were one of the first companies to make spas out of acrylic. I joined the company in 1988 as vice president of the spa division. In February 1996 I led an investment group to purchase the spa division from the equity group that owned it. We’ve had explosive growth over the last 20 years, including a 10-year period when we grew more than 35 percent every year. What can readers expect from Master Spas products? They can expect a premium product that is super energy-efficient and loaded with advanced technology. Master Spas products are environmentally friendly. Tell our readers more about those initiatives. Not only are our products super energy-efficient, but we also use the most Earth-friendly foam insulation that doesn’t have harmful emissions. Our factory has a robust recycling program.