Forty under 40: Utah's rising stars.

• Author: Stum, Jamie Huish
• Position: On the Cover

One of Utah's many strengths has long been the fresh faces of its youthful, innovative population that constantly illuminates the business landscape. Whether it's creating new categories or directing established companies, this generation of leaders is confidently coming into its own.

Bringing together the leading lights of that crowd, our sixth annual 40 Under 40 is an assemblage of entrepreneurial experts, tech wizards, finance gurus and executive captains. Join us in recognizing the standouts who are guiding industry trends and shaping future outcomes.

R. Scott Reynolds

President, Altaview Concrete Inc. | Age: 36 | Favorite Utah Diversion: Snowmobiling in the backcountry | Role Model: George Washington | Last Book Read: 1776 by David McCullough

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

In 1993, Scott Reynolds started in the dispatch department of Altaview Concrete. Ten years later, he bought the company and today he is also president of sister companies Peak Construction Materials and Wasatch Concrete Pumping. Tripling growth in the past five years, Altaview Concrete has been recognized by the National Ready Mix Concrete Association as one of the top performing ready mix companies in the nation, citing Reynolds' industry forethought in creating a vertically integrated supply chain. That innovative spirit continues to motivate him. "I like to see growth and improvement within my companies," Reynolds says. "We are constantly looking at new and better ways to improve our manufacturing, products and deliveries."

Steve Spencer

President, Twelve Horses North America, LLC | Age: 37 | First Job: Bagger at Albertsons | Last Book Read: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson | Favorite Utah Diversion: "I absolutely love my snowboard!"

Though Steve Spencer has spent 17 years in the technology industry, he remains excited about innovation. As president and CTO of interactive and social marketing agency Twelve Horses, Spencer finds ways to generate buzz about companies by creatively leveraging technology. He is also motivated by igniting that innovative spark in others. "I get to see peoples eyes light up. Whenever I am in a room and really get passionate about what we can do, and I can sense that tipping point ... when the skeptics really get it and light up and start nodding their heads in excitement, it makes me smile." Spencer is also active in the Utah Technology Council and the Utah Entrepreneurs Organization.

Michael Hennessey

CEO, C.G. Sparks | Age: 33 | First Job: Dishwasher at a Chinese restaurant | Last Book Read: America: A Complete History by George Brown Tindall | Favorite Utah Diversion: "My wife and my one-year-old boy."

Spending six years as an assistant director in the film industry taught Michael Hennessey the importance of having creative vision. After walking into C.G. Sparks in 2002, a company that touts itself as "furniture with soul," Hennessey knew he could translate that vision to the furniture business. He became the CEO of C.G. Sparks, an importer of antiques from India, Nepal and Tibet for retail and trade. Under his guidance, the company has spent the past three years among Mountain West Capital Network's top 100 fastest growing companies in Utah, this year ranking 38. Hennessey is also co-chair of the education committee of the Sustainable Furniture Council and hosts semi-annual fundraisers for international charities at C.G. Spark's downtown showroom.

Brett Derricott

CEO, Agency Fusion | Age: 31 | Favorite Movie: Millions | Last Book Read: The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder | Favorite Utah Diversion: Wakeskating

Brett Derricott has built Agency Fusion, web-development and service provider to advertising agencies and graphic designers, with no outside investment. In the world of creative tech start-ups, this is no easy feat. But for Derricott, it is better than the alternative-working in a career that offers no fervor or focus. After a previous company he had passion for fell apart, Derricott was devastated. Other jobs seemed less enticing, so Derricott built something he could really sink his teeth into. "Life feels short to me," he says. "I can't believe how quickly the first 30 years went by. One more time around and I'll be 60. I have a lot to get done by then ... no time to lose."

Glen J. Jensen

CEO, Agel Enterprises | Age: 39 | First Job: Cleaning ditches and hauling hay on family and friends' farms | Favorite Utah Diversion: Fly fishing on the Green River | Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings trilogy

An 18-year veteran of the direct selling industry, Glen Jensen says his corporate experience helped prepare him to found Agel Enterprises, a manufacturer and distributor of nutritional supplements incorporating vitamins and minerals. In business for two years, the company operates in more than 40 countries with annualized revenue of $150 million. Jensen says the company's growth can be attributed to an innovative product, quick entry into foreign markets and an organizational system that is heavily dependent on technology.

"I have traveled to many nations and have experienced firsthand what this company is doing to bless the lives of people," he says. "The Agel culture is attracting the most diverse group of individuals, and it is fun to be apart of it."

Thomas Karren

CEO, WingateWeb | Age: 37 | Favorite Utah Diversion: Backpacking in Canyonlands National Park | Last Book Read: The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz | Favorite Movie: "Any movie I can enjoy with my family."

When Tom Karren and two partners founded Wingate Web in 1998, the trio saw the venture as a way to make extra cash on the side. Before long, national interest in the product had sparked and all three to quit their jobs to run the company full time. An event technology company, Wingate Web delivers software applications over the web that allow companies to manage corporate events.

Karren has served in many capacities at Wingate, including senior technologist, general manager and today, CEO. Under his leadership, the company has experienced eight consecutive years of growth with expanding revenue, clients and partnerships. Revenues for 2007 approached $10 million.

Nathan Rafferty

President and CEO of the Utah Ski and Snowboard Association | Age: 36 | Favorite Utah Diversion: "Getting lost on desolate roads in southern Utah on my motorcycle" | Last Book Read: The Heroine Diaries by Nikki Sixx | Role model: Master Yoda

A Utah native and lifelong skier, Nathan Rafferty takes it personally when someone says they want to ski somewhere other than Utah. "Why settle for anything but the best?" Rafferty was named president and CEO of Ski Utah in 2005, where he continues to promote Utah's 13 mountain resorts, oversee a budget of about $3.5 million and, of course, frequently test out the powder. When not on the slopes, he serves on several boards, including the Governor's Special Initiatives Office, the executive committee of the Salt Lake Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Park City Chamber/Bureau and the executive committee of the Utah Tourism Industry Coalition.

Stephen D. Neeleman

CEO, HealthEquity, Inc. | Age: 39 | Last Book Read: Washington: The Indispensable Man by James Thomas Flexner | Role Model: Abraham Lincoln | Favorite Utah Diversion: Zion Ponderosa, a family resort founded by Neeleman and his brother, David at Zion National Park

Serving as CEO and chairman of the board of directors at Health Equity, Stephen Neeleman is positioned to play a key role in debates on health care reform. Neeleman is also a surgeon and practiced in general surgery, trauma and critical care. He coauthored the Complete HSA Guidebook and is considered a national expert in consumer-directed health care services. His work with Health Equity includes keeping a focus on the customer with initiatives such as a health savings plan. He also serves as chairman of the HSA Working Group and as a member of the Council for Affordable Healthcare and the National Health Care Reform Coalition.

Evan Walker

President and CEO, The W Brand | Age: 27 | Last Book Read: Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz | Favorite Movie: The Thomas Crown Affair | Favorite Utah Diversion: Park City...