Charles D. Young is the CEO of Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE: SUI), one of the largest real estate investment trusts in the United States specializing in manufactured housing, RV resorts, and marinas. Young became CEO on October 1, 2025, succeeding Gary A. Shiffman, who led the company for over 30 years. A Stanford University graduate and former professional football player, Young brings over 25 years of real estate leadership experience, most recently as President of Invitation Homes, the nation’s largest single-family rental REIT.
Read on to discover Sun Communities CEO email address, Charles D. Young net worth in 2026, salary and compensation, career history, education, and more.
Charles D. Young – Quick Facts
| Charles D. Young — Key Information | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Charles D. Young |
| Position | Chief Executive Officer & Director |
| Company | Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE: SUI) |
| Age | Not publicly disclosed |
| Education | B.A. Economics & MBA, Stanford University |
| Net Worth (Est.) | $5–10 million (estimated) |
| Base Salary | $900,000 |
| CEO Since | October 1, 2025 |
| Previous Role | President, Invitation Homes (INVH) |
| [email protected] | |
| Headquarters | Southfield, Michigan |
Career Highlights
- CEO, Sun Communities (Oct 2025–present) – Leading a $16.6 billion market cap REIT with 513 properties across manufactured housing, RV resorts, and marinas
- President, Invitation Homes (2023–2025) – Oversaw the nation’s largest single-family rental company with approximately 80,000 homes
- COO, Invitation Homes (2017–2023) – Directed operations, development, and investment strategy for the largest single-family rental REIT in the U.S.
- COO, Starwood Waypoint Homes – Led operations for a leading single-family rental platform before its merger with Invitation Homes
- EVP, Mesa Development – Oversaw large-scale residential mixed-use projects and iconic buildings in Chicago and Northern California
- Goldman Sachs – Worked in the real estate principal investment area (Whitehall) and the investment banking division
- Professional Football Player – Played in the World League of American Football after starring as a halfback at Stanford
- Stanford Board of Trustees – Elected to a five-year term in 2018
- Board Director, Floor & Decor Holdings (NYSE: FND)
Charles D. Young Net Worth & Salary
Charles D. Young’s estimated net worth is approximately $5–10 million as of 2026, based on his career earnings, equity holdings, and real estate investments. As the new CEO of Sun Communities, his compensation package is structured to build significant long-term wealth through equity grants.
According to SEC filings (Form 8-K, July 2025), Young signed a five-year employment agreement with Sun Communities that includes a $900,000 base salary and a target annual cash bonus equal to 200% of his base salary (with his 2025 bonus guaranteed at target, prorated). He also received substantial sign-on equity and cash inducements to replace forfeited Invitation Homes awards.
Sun Communities CEO Compensation Package
| Component | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $900,000 |
| Target Annual Bonus | 200% of salary ($1,800,000) |
| Performance-Based RSUs (Sign-On) | $3,550,000 |
| Fully-Vested Stock (Sign-On) | $1,000,000 |
| Time-Vested RSUs (Sign-On) | $4,000,000 |
| Cash Sign-On Bonus | $750,000 |
| Relocation Benefits | $300,000 |
| 2026 Equity Award (Committed) | $6,000,000 |
| Estimated Total (First Year) | ~$17,300,000 |
Key Insight: Young’s predecessor, Gary Shiffman, earned total compensation of approximately $1.97 million in fiscal 2024 (including $900,000 salary and $558,688 in stock awards). Young’s package is significantly larger due to the sign-on equity required to replace his forfeited Invitation Homes awards and reflects Sun Communities’ commitment to attracting top-tier talent.
Sun Communities Financial Summary
Sun Communities, Inc. is a fully integrated REIT that owns and operates manufactured housing communities, RV resorts, and marinas across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Under CEO Charles D. Young’s early leadership, the company delivered strong results for fiscal 2025.
| Metric | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $2.31B | $2.26B | ▲ +2.0% |
| Net Income | $1.36B | $103.6M | ▲ +1,213% |
| Core FFO/Share | $6.68 | $6.81 | ▼ -1.9% |
| Same Property NOI Growth (N. America) | +5.7% | — | ▲ Strong |
| Properties | 513 | 507 | ▲ +1.2% |
| Developed Sites | 178,650 | ~176,390 | ▲ +1.3% |
| Market Capitalization | ~$16.6 billion (March 2026) | — | |
2026 Outlook: Sun Communities projects Core FFO per share of $6.83 to $7.03 for fiscal 2026, with North America same property NOI growth of approximately 4.5%. The company also increased its quarterly distribution by 8% to $1.12 per share.
Charles D. Young Education & Early Life
Charles D. Young earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and his MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business (class of ’03). As an undergraduate, Young was a standout halfback on the Stanford Cardinal football team before pursuing a professional football career in the World League of American Football.
Young’s transition from professional athletics to finance began at Goldman Sachs, where he worked in the firm’s prestigious Whitehall real estate principal investment area and its investment banking division. This combination of athletic discipline, elite education, and high-finance training laid the foundation for his career as one of the most respected real estate executives in the country.
Young has maintained deep ties to Stanford, serving on the university’s Board of Trustees after being elected to a five-year term in November 2018. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Floor & Decor Holdings (NYSE: FND) and previously served on the board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
Charles D. Young Career Timeline
| Period | Role | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Education | B.A. Economics; MBA | Stanford University |
| Post-College | Professional Football Player | World League of American Football |
| Late 1990s | Real Estate Investment Banking & Principal Investment | Goldman Sachs (Whitehall) |
| 2000s | Executive Vice President | Mesa Development |
| ~2015–2017 | Chief Operating Officer | Starwood Waypoint Homes |
| 2017–2023 | EVP & Chief Operating Officer | Invitation Homes (NYSE: INVH) |
| Mar 2023–Sep 2025 | President | Invitation Homes (NYSE: INVH) |
| Oct 2025–Present | Chief Executive Officer & Director | Sun Communities (NYSE: SUI) |
Charles D. Young Personal Life
Charles D. Young maintains a private personal life. He is known for his diverse background combining professional athletics, elite finance, and real estate operations — a rare combination in the REIT industry. His transition from the World League of American Football to Goldman Sachs and eventually to running billion-dollar real estate companies reflects exceptional adaptability and drive.
Young is actively involved in community service and board leadership. In addition to his Stanford Board of Trustees role, he has served on the board of the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative, focused on economic development on Chicago’s South Side, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.
About Sun Communities
Sun Communities, Inc. (NYSE: SUI) is a fully integrated REIT headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. Founded in 1975 and publicly traded since its 1993 IPO, the company owns, operates, or has an interest in 513 developed properties across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Sun Communities specializes in three key asset classes:
- Manufactured Housing (MH) – Affordable housing communities across the U.S.
- Recreational Vehicle (RV) Resorts – Premier destinations for RV travelers and seasonal residents
- Marinas – Waterfront properties serving boating enthusiasts (divested UK marina portfolio in 2024)
The company’s portfolio encompasses approximately 178,650 developed sites and approximately 48,760 wet slips and dry storage spaces. MH and annual RV sites were 97.9% occupied at the end of 2025. Under Gary Shiffman’s 30+ year tenure, Sun Communities grew from a $100 million IPO to a $16.6 billion market cap company, delivering total returns exceeding 4,100%.
How to Contact Charles D. Young – Sun Communities CEO Email
Below are the official contact details for Sun Communities CEO Charles D. Young:
| Contact Information | |
|---|---|
| Email Address | [email protected] |
| Investor Relations Email | [email protected] |
| Phone | (248) 208-2500 |
| Corporate HQ | 27777 Franklin Road, Suite 200, Southfield, MI 48034 |
| Charles Young – CEO, Sun Communities | |
| Company Website | suncommunities.com |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is the CEO of Sun Communities?
Charles D. Young became CEO of Sun Communities on October 1, 2025, succeeding Gary A. Shiffman, who led the company for over 30 years. Young previously served as President of Invitation Homes, the largest single-family rental REIT in the United States.
What is Charles D. Young’s salary at Sun Communities?
Young’s base salary is $900,000 per year with a target annual bonus of 200% of salary ($1.8 million). His first-year total compensation, including sign-on equity and cash awards, is estimated at approximately $17.3 million.
What is Sun Communities?
Sun Communities (NYSE: SUI) is a fully integrated REIT that owns and operates 513 properties across manufactured housing communities, RV resorts, and marinas in the U.S., Canada, and the UK. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $16.6 billion.
Where did Charles Young work before Sun Communities?
Young served as President of Invitation Homes (NYSE: INVH) from March 2023 to September 2025, and as its COO from 2017. Earlier in his career, he worked at Goldman Sachs, Mesa Development, and Starwood Waypoint Homes.
What happened to Gary Shiffman?
Gary A. Shiffman transitioned to Non-Executive Chairman of Sun Communities’ Board of Directors upon his retirement as CEO on October 1, 2025, after more than 30 years leading the company.
Did Charles Young play professional football?
Yes. Young played halfback for Stanford’s football team as an undergraduate and went on to play professionally in the World League of American Football before transitioning to a career in finance and real estate.
Article last updated: March 2026
Disclaimer: All information presented in this article has been compiled from publicly available sources, including SEC filings, official company press releases, and reputable news outlets. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.