Facebook CEO leads list of U.S.' youngest

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Being a CEO is a great gig if you can get it — so much so that many CEOs hang onto their jobs well into their 70s and 80s^[1]. But some CEOs are getting a jump start.

There are 10 CEOs of companies in the Standard & Poor’s 1500 index aged 40 or younger, according to a USA TODAY analysis of data from S&P Capital IQ. These CEOS, including Mark Zuckerberg at social networking king Facebook (FB)^[2], Joey Agree at real-estate firm Agree Realty (ADC)^[3] and Sardar Biglari of restaurant chain Biglari (BH)^[4] have reached the top of the corporate chain well before hitting their big 4-0. The ages are based on data from the company’s most recent regulatory filings.

The average age of CEOs in the S&P 1500 is 56, giving you an idea of just how unusual these leaders are. But interestingly, the companies with the youngest CEOs have been outperforming the market – along with those with the oldest leaders. Shares of the companies with CEOs aged below 40 are up an average of 39.7% over the past two years. That beats the 36% gain of the S&P 1500 as a whole.

There’s no question some CEOs are self-made. Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook is a prime example. And there’s certainly cases of the CEO position being a family affair. Joey Agree took over as CEO at Agree Realty after his father Richard Agree stepped down Jan. 7, 2013. Joey Agree was paid $1.7 million in 2013, and has served as the company’s president since June 2009.

Judging a CEO’s skill based on age alone isn’t the most telling. But some of these young CEOs will face some major challenges this year, putting their experience to the test. Several of the youngest CEOs are in the energy sector, which is in upheaval due to the plunging price of oil. Northern Oil and Gas (NOG)^[5], led by 38-year-old co-founder Michael Reger explores for oil and natural gas in North Dakota and Montana. Shares have already been under pressure.

And Basic Energy (BAS)^[6] provides well site services for oil and natural gas drilling. It’s led by 39-year-old Thomas Monroe “Roe” Patterson. Plummeting oil prices have not be flattering to this stock, either.

There are other companies with young CEOs that face indirect hits from oil. Era Group (ERA)^[7], for instance, provides helicopter transportation services to oil and gas companies as well as government agencies. CEO Christopher Bradshaw is 38.

Getting to the top isn’t easy in the corporate world. But these CEOs will show investors if they have what it takes to stay there.

S&P 1500 COMPANIES WITH THE YOUNGEST CEOS

Sources: S&P Capital IQ, USA TODAY research, limited to primary CEOs who reported age in regulatory filings

References

1. ^{^} jobs well into their 70s and 80s (americasmarkets.usatoday.com)
2. ^{^} Facebook (FB) (www.usatoday.com)
3. ^{^} Agree Realty (ADC) (www.usatoday.com)
4. ^{^} Biglari (BH) (www.usatoday.com)
5. ^{^} Northern Oil and Gas (NOG) (www.usatoday.com)
6. ^{^} Basic Energy (BAS) (www.usatoday.com)
7. ^{^} Era Group (ERA) (www.usatoday.com)