# William Short

> William C. Short is the founder and CEO of A.E. Perkins, a Dallas-Fort Worth holding company that emphasizes long-term ownership and operating discipline. His career includes banking and leadership of Ameriflex and Workforce Go. He is also an author and a donor to the North Texas Quality of Life Initiative at UT Dallas. The holding company takes its name from his great-grandfather’s business, whose failure after its founder’s death informs Short’s emphasis on continuity.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at A.E. Perkins
- **Organizations:** A.E. Perkins, Ameriflex, Accresa, Workforce Go, UMB Bank, The University of Texas at Dallas
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), Washington University in St. Louis, Owner/President Management program (OPM 48), Harvard Business School, Master of Science (MS), Quinnipiac University
- **Known for:** Led Ameriflex after becoming CEO in 2008. A 2016 D CEO profile reported 500 percent company growth over seven years without specifying the metric., Founded A.E. Perkins, a holding company oriented toward long-term ownership., Named to the 2020 Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 list, as recorded by Washington University.

## Career timeline

- **2002** — Graduated with a BSBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
- **2003-2005** — Served as director of UMB Healthcare Services at UMB Bank, according to his public professional profile as reproduced by ContactOut.
- **2005-2008** — Served as a senior vice president at First Horizon Msaver, according to the same professional profile.
- **2008** — Became CEO of Ameriflex with an understanding that he would eventually acquire the company.
- **2012** — Began a founder and executive role at Workforce Go, according to his public professional profile.
- **2015** — Published 127 Grains; began a founder and executive role at Accresa, according to his public professional profile.
- **2020** — Named to Fort Worth Business Press’s 40 Under 40 list; his $250,000 donation helped launch the UT Dallas civic survey program that summer.
- **2025** — Think Boldly: Accept Nothing and Challenge Everything published on December 12.
- **2026** — Appeared on Decision Points on April 7; the group announced new president and chief innovation officer responsibilities on April 23.

## Achievements

- Led Ameriflex after becoming CEO in 2008. A 2016 D CEO profile reported 500 percent company growth over seven years without specifying the metric.
- Founded A.E. Perkins, a holding company oriented toward long-term ownership.
- Named to the 2020 Fort Worth Business Press 40 Under 40 list, as recorded by Washington University.
- Contributed $250,000 to a UT Dallas civic survey program; the university matched the gift.
- Authored 127 Grains and Think Boldly: Accept Nothing and Challenge Everything.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Appeared on Decision Points episode 88, released April 7, discussing his career and operating approach.
- **2026-04** — Workforce Go announced on April 23 that Chris Goheen would become A.E. Perkins chief innovation officer and Rashmi Daryman president, responsible for Workforce Go and Ameriflex.
- **2025-12** — Published Think Boldly: Accept Nothing and Challenge Everything on December 12.

## Links

- Website: https://aeperkins.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-c-short-

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/william-short
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-10