Skip to main content
C
CorpDigest
Search

Extra Space Storage Inc.

Self-Storage Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)Founded 1977
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: October 2026

Founders

Who Founded Extra Space Storage?

Kenneth M. Woolley · Founded 1977 · HQ today: Salt Lake City (Cottonwood Heights), Utah

Who founded Extra Space Storage?

Extra Space Storage was founded by Kenneth M. Woolley in 1977. It is now led by Noah Springer.

Founders
Kenneth M. Woolley
Founded
1977
Headquarters
Salt Lake City (Cottonwood Heights), Utah
Number of founders
1
Current CEO
Noah Springer (since 2026)
Where was Extra Space Storage founded?
Extra Space Storage was founded in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1977.
When was Extra Space Storage founded?
Extra Space Storage was founded in 1977.
Who started Extra Space Storage?
Extra Space Storage was founded by Kenneth M. Woolley.
How old is Extra Space Storage?
Extra Space Storage is 49 years old as of 2026.

Founding Story

Kenneth M. Woolley, a Stanford-trained business academic and real estate developer, founded Extra Space Storage in 1977. For more than two decades the company grew as a developer and operator of storage properties, often funded through private partnerships and institutional partners. It consolidated those holdings and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in August 2004.

Kenneth M. Woolley

Co-founder 1977

Background

Business academic and real estate developer who founded Extra Space Storage in 1977.

Role at Extra Space Storage Inc.

Kenneth M. Woolley founded Extra Space Storage in 1977 after an academic career in business, including graduate study at Stanford. He built the company as a developer and operator of storage properties funded through private partnerships and institutional partners, led it to its 2004 NYSE listing, and later served as chairman of the board. (Exact birth year remains publicly undisclosed).

Extra Space Storage Inc.: CEO & Leadership History

Full timeline →

Noah Springer

President; CEO from January 1, 2027

2026 – Present

As Chief Operating Officer, he is responsible for seamlessly integrating the massive thousands of properties acquired in the Life Storage merger into Extra Space's highly centralized, data-driven pricing system.

Joseph D. Margolis

Chief Executive Officer

2017 – 2026

Under his tenure Extra Space became the largest U.S. self-storage operator by store count. He retires on December 31, 2026 and will advise the board.

Spencer F. Kirk

Former Chief Executive Officer

2009 – 2016

Oversaw growth into an S&P 500 REIT before handing over to Margolis.

Kenneth M. Woolley

Founder and former CEO

1977 – 2009

As the Founder and Chairman, he built the company from its very first facility in Montana into the absolute largest storage operator in the United States, utilizing highly advanced, airline-style revenue management.

Compare Extra Space Storage Inc. Leadership With Competitors

Extra Space Storage Inc. vs Public Storage Leadership →Overview

Keep researching Extra Space Storage

Who Founded Extra Space Storage? FAQ

Who founded Extra Space Storage?

Kenneth M. Woolley founded Extra Space Storage in 1977.

What was Kenneth Woolley's background?

Woolley had an academic business background, including graduate study at Stanford, before building Extra Space as a storage developer and operator.

When did Extra Space go public?

Extra Space listed on the New York Stock Exchange in August 2004 under the ticker EXR.

Related Founder Profiles

Compare founding stories, origins, and entrepreneurial journeys

Competitor

Public Storage

View Founder Profiles
Competitor

Prologis

View Founder Profiles
Competitor

Realty Income

View Founder Profiles

Explore Extra Space Storage

Core profile pages, founders and related research hubs for this company.

Content is for informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Data sourced from SEC filings, annual reports, and public records. See our full disclaimer and methodology.