Drury said firms like his are rec- ognizing people earlier. The most common candidates are now between 38 and 52 years old, he said. A quick look at area firms supports Drury s point about a younger exec- utive talent pool at the top. Presi- dent of Services Alan Lacy are each in their 40s. Further feeding the search for young talent, Challenger said, is the fact that CEO jobs are opening up more frequently.
Challenger estimates that six CEO spots are changed per busi- ness day somewhere in the country.
Maybe it is new century and the fascination with all things new, Challenger said. But you now have some cases where the boss knows less than the employees who have been around forever. Challenger points to Japan and other countries that have been suc- cessful while placing a high value on experienced executives. The organization, which doesn t take anyone over 43 years old, is thriving in the new, younger execu- tive environment, he said. However, there is that nagging problem about balancing work with the needs of the young family in the desktop photographs.