A pair of University of Arkansas at Little Rock leaders have been recognized as among the state’s best young stars.

Editors from Arkansas Business chose Director of Athletics Chasse Conque and Vice Chancellor of University Advancement Christian O’Neal for this year’s 40 Under 40 list.

The publication annually recognizes “intriguing business and political leaders under 40 years old who bear watching.”

O’Neal, a 2001 UALR business administration-management graduate, has had numerous leadership roles at the university since 2003. After becoming associate vice chancellor for alumni and development in July 2013, he raised $1.6 million for the university and led some of UALR’s signature events such as Taste of Little Rock.

He also led a team that organized a 2015 campus campaign that produced an employee participation rate of more than 70 percent.

In January, O’Neal, 39,  was promoted to his current vice chancellor role.

Conque, 31, was 21 the first time UALR hired him, and he rejoined the university in January 2015 as its athletics director.

During the past year, Conque led a significant rebranding effort for the Athletics Department, launching a new logo and increasing the emphasis on the Trojans’ Little Rock connection.

In the 2015-16 season, the Little Rock men’s basketball team broke records for wins and attendance on their way to an upset of the fifth-seeded Purdue Boilermakers in the NCAA Tournament.

For the fifth time in six years, the Little Rock Trojans posted the highest graduation success rate of any Arkansas Division 1 program.

Conque and O’Neal are part of the 23rd class of Arkansas Business’ 40 Under 40. This year, the list actually recognizes 42 honorees, including twin brothers and a husband and wife team.

The full 40 Under 40 list is available online.