CONNOISSEUR OF OFFICE SUITES - ANGIE D OGRADY

If James Bond got sick of working out of an underground volcano or an Aston-Martin, he would definitely lease a private office from Preferred Offices.

Angie O’Grady, President & COO, shows us how covert the whole operation is. When someone calls for you, they reach a receptionist manned with Evo-technology software. The system shows your picture, your whereabouts, your company info, and how you can be reached. The caller has no idea that the receptionist is also the “Director of First Impressions” for other clients as well.

We have a great view of the afternoon sun bouncing off the Old EOB as we talk to Angie about the business of workspace. Preferred Offices, provider of private and virtual work space, first opened in the Willard Office Building in February 2003 and now leases floors in eight DC area buildings, all coveted locations. Created by Washington legend Oliver Carr, 81, the rapidly expanding company has since doubled its number of locations. Prefer to stare out at the Thames River instead of the White House? The company is going global in the near future.

So how does one become involved in office space? “Right out of college,” says Angie, above, in the “meeting place” at their 1701 Penn site—a kitchen that's so comfy people gravitate there to lounge and confer. She grew up in Atlanta and graduated from Georgia State at barely 21. “But I looked about 12,” she tells us. “I was having difficulty launching myself in the professional world but I could type 100 words per minute. I can thank my father for that.”

Read more now