In 1981 when Safeguard Scientific, Inc. approached William Dugan, a veteran commercial real estate broker at the time, to provide his expertise for their new start up, American Executive Centers - a company which subleased small executive office space little could Dugan guess that one day American Executive Centers would both celebrate its 25^th anniversary and touch the lives of all his children and their children.

Four years after the company was formed and plagued by disappointing earnings, it was clear that American Executive Centers needed to be sold to someone with a new vision in order to survive the calendar year.  This led William Dugan, who was always enamored by the potential he saw of American Executive Centers, to discuss a radical idea with his children.  He proposed to his family that they unite with him in purchasing American Executive Centers.  And, indeed they did!  In 1985 William Dugan and his family became the new owners.  With his son, Michael, as president; his daughter, Patricia, responsible for all sales; his son Jim, developing the necessary accounting systems; and his daughter, Bonnie, managing American Executive Centers' Bala Cynwyd location, everyone was both involved and committed.

It was another disappointing year before the Dugan family, assisted by a dozen key employees who are still with the company today, decided to shift the emphasis o f their product from small executive office space to a product of comprehensive business services which included small space.  It was a risky but fateful decision that would transform American Executive Centers.  Starting with one location in 1981 with five employees, 25 years later the company has progressed to seven strategically and conveniently located Business Centers that combine prestigious locations, today's technology, beautifully furnished executive offices and 65 outstanding business support staff members who provide an extensive, broad range of business support and services available to the client as needed.  American Executive Centers locations include King of Prussia, Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, Exton, Plymouth Meeting, Marlton, NJ and a new facility this year in Radnor at the Radnor Financial Center.

As American Executive Centers proudly celebrates its 25^th anniversary, it is still family owned, but has grown too big to be solely family operated.  While Mike Dugan continues to contribute greatly to the company's success and his sister, Patricia, too, who runs the company's internet marketing and sales training, two years ago Dugan appointed two of his top employees to assume bigger roles.  Dugan named Mike Howard as Vice President of sales and Anne Senski as vice president of operations.  "To me, Mike and Anne, as well as the many employees who have been with American Executive Centers for more than 15 years, are all part of my family," says Mike Dugan.  "American Executive Centers is family owned, but I have never had the philosophy that is should necessarily be family run," continues Dugan.  "I think that would reduce a company's long-term growth and earnings potential.  At American Executive Centers the best qualified person always gets the job.  That works best for everyone, both family and non-family members.

Most recently in 2003 Mike Dugan was thrilled to have his 29-year old son Ryan Scott Dugan join his executive management team as the Center Manager for the Exton facility.  Ryan will soon transition from his current position to Corporate Sales where he will have less operational involvement and focus more on sales.  Ryan's long-term goal is to one day run the company.  However, he shares that goal with several other employees.  "Competition is a good thing, "says Dugan.  "Both outside the company and inside the company.  Only time will tell who will eventually replace me.  But, it has been a real advantage to have the support of my family members throughout the years, as well as their involvement with the company," adds Dugan.

"I also have to attribute our 25 years of success to our commitment to staying true to the principles we were founded on - being the best at every component of our business to ensure that our clients have a better opportunity to succeed.  We have done this through providing the highest quality and range of business services, the highest quality and range of business services, the highest level of support and most prestigious executive office space - and most importantly... through the quality people who run our facilities daily."

From helping clients get setup, to assisting clients with finding new business; or from assisting clients with servicing their clients to providing accounting and IT management support, American Executive Centers delivers.  With their signature interior design of marble, mahogany, rich sage carpeting and exquisite décor, the facilities have the look and feel of a Fortune 500 Company.  The affect creates a business environment that enhances the client's professional image - and in turn, offers clients a greater opportunity for success.

For start-up companies professional such as attorneys, real estate developers, consultants, and financial advisors to name a few, and large corporate organizations expanding into new territory, the opportunity to enjoy lease and space flexibility cannot be overstated.

For companies who may experience rapid staff growth or who anticipate a temporary office need, the short-term leases that American Executive Centers provides allows them to avoid long-term lease obligations, and maintain the flexibility to upsize their team as needed immediately while avoiding significant capital outlays.  For individuals who require access to office space and business services on an as needed basis, American Executive Centers' Virtual Office - a customized office and business services program that costs a fraction of a full-time office - makes the perfect arrangement.

With an affiliation to Alliance Business Centers Network, American Executive Centers enables clients to quickly open new satellite offices or easily use conference rooms in any major city worldwide.  For more information about American Executive Centers visit their website at www.aecphilly.com or call 1-800-736-6024.