After his senior year in high school, Andrew Haugen interned with the founder of the Princeton Clubs and immediately saw an incredible man who was building a special company. He then started working part time in membership sales. “This involved any and every duty around the club from membership sales and cleaning to greeting members at the front desk,” he said.
His goal was to help expand the company and one day become the president, CEO and partner. This goal eventually led to a promotion to vice president and then president and CEO where he led the acquisition of a Golds Gym in the Madison market and then later led the largest acquisition in club history with the purchase of Peak Sports Club and Peak Fitness, bringing Princeton Clubs’ footprint to 11 locations.
The Princeton Clubs were founded on a Commitment to Excellence that has driven the company for 36 years and climbed to over 55,000 members.
“I have been the commercial lender on the Princeton Club account for 20 years,” said Dan Holzhauer. “I have seen the clubs transition to a stronger player in their markets and have seen continued improvements and upgrades due to Andy’s knowledge.”
Haugen’s knowledge and passion for the business helped Princeton Club navigate the COVID pandemic. “The health club industry was one of the hardest hit industries,” said Haugen. “Managing the expectation of nearly 40,000 members at the time was a task reserved only for those with the resolve to see it through and believe in the mission.”
Under Haugen’s leadership, the Princeton Clubs made it through COVID and are projected to end 2023 with an almost 25 percent increase in revenue growth compared to 2019 with the addition of two more clubs and 15,000 more members.
“Follow the passion you have to lead, and the greatest calling of the leader is to serve,” said Haugen. “The issues you will run into are not as daunting as they seem. Solve challenges one at a time and it will lead to solving the bigger more difficult puzzles.”
Solving problems is his specialty as a leader and his accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. Haugen was selected as a 2022 Deal Maker of the Year for the Milwaukee Deal Makers Conferences and was recognized as the outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year at the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Business.
“Of all the accomplishments listed, Andy is most proud and grateful for the staff that has joined in on the journey,” said his staff. “The tenure of most of the leadership and directors is 15+ years and together the Princeton Clubs employ more than 700 people. That speaks to the culture of the clubs and empowering the team to do what they love and with their passion.”
For his passion for empowering others, Haugen has been named a titan.