Forty Under 40: Mark Wagstaff, 37

Mark Wagstaff’s young Boy Scout curiosity with electronics translated to his future career, where experience led to a new dream: owning his own business.
In 1999, with a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from Brigham Young University and a master’s from Rice University, Wagstaff built and tested electronic units for Johnson and International Space Stations at Invocon Inc. and managed software development at ProLogic Corp. in Texas.
Three years later, he moved to Fayetteville after being offered a job on the client support team of Virtual Incubation Co. by president Calvin Goforth. Among other projects, he oversaw business and technical projects for nine startup companies before moving up to vice president of operations.
Then, in 2008, he purchased AAA, a $3.5 million revenue company with an expanding market.
“I had lots of experience managing small companies and wanted to try it on my own,” he said.
Wagstaff said he’s pleased about holding his business together through a tough economy and increased competition.
He is also active in the community as a member of the Springdale Rotary Club and board member at EquityNet LLC of Fayetteville, a service provider for entrepreneurs and investors. He also serves as a bishop for Fayetteville’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.