In 2002, at a storage unit in Franklin, Tennessee, ASE sold their first toner cartridge. In 2005, ASE Direct, Inc. was founded by CEO & Service-Disabled Veteran, Bo Clift. Bo is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as an officer in the Army before being injured while serving. In December 2005, Bo, along with his brother, Jud Clift, founded the company. Jud is a veteran of the print and imaging industry having established multi-million dollar organizations.