College Education

Gene Haas originally attended California State University Northridge as an engineering major, but changed his major to accounting and finance. After graduating in 1975, finding the right job proved difficult, so he decided to create his own opportunity.

Machine Shop Beginnings

Haas opened his own machine shop where he noticed setting up equipment by hand took valuable time. This lead him to create a machine that automated the process — an indexer with a stepper motor. In addition to making indexers for his own machine shop, he made a few for other shops in the area. He quickly realized his indexer was popular enough to show at an upcoming large manufacturing industry expo, the 1983 WESTEC show. The indexer was an instant success with attendees.

Haas Automation

Gene Haas opened Haas Automation and put his indexer into mass production. Because he was able to produce high quality products at a fraction of the cost of his competitors, his company continued to grow and expand until it became the biggest machine tool manufacturer in the western world.

An Interest In Racing

Gene Haas isn’t all business. One of his passions and favorite subjects is racing. It was only natural that he purchased the Craftsman Truck Race Facility from Hendrick Motorsports in 2002 and formed his own NASCAR team. Known as Haas CNC Racing, the team ran its first race in September of 2002 and continued to race until 2008 when Gene Haas joined forces with Tony Stewart and renamed the team Stewart-Haas Racing.

Philanthropist And Charitable Giving

In addition to all of these ventures, Gene Haas is a devoted and passionate philanthropist who uses his business expertise to improve the local, state, national, and international community through charitable giving. Haas founded a non-profit organization in 1999 to fund all of the charities he regularly supports. Those closest to his heart are the charitable organizations that help children and provide food to people in need. Some of the recipients of his charitable giving include the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the YMCA, the United Way, the Salvation Army, and the Rain Transitional Living Center.

Gene Haas is also a firm believer in education. Some organizations receiving grants and scholarships from Haas include California State University Northridge, the America Association of University Women, the National Institution for the Advancement of Colored People, and many more. In all, Gene Haas has given more than $8.5 million dollars to various non-profits through his charitable giving foundation.