Lurita Doan

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Lurita Alexis Doan is a successful entrepreneur, business woman, community leader, and mother. Doan is currently serving as the Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration.

1 Education
2 Career
3 Community Involvement
4 Sources

[edit] Education

Doan began her education at the Ursuline Academy, a Catholic school for girls in New Orleans. Doan was one of the first African Americans to integrate into the private school system in New Orleans in the early 1960’s. Doan next attended Vassar College in New York where she graduated with honors for her English thesis in 1979. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Doan attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she received her master’s degree in renaissance literature.

[edit] Career

Doan began work teaching at several colleges in Louisiana, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. In the late 1980’s, Ms. Doan became proficient using the Unix system, leading edge technology at the time. Utilizing her newly acquired skills, Doan was motivated by the birth of her first daughter to launch her company, New Technology Management Inc. in 1990. Doan began work integrating Unix systems working alone until 1993 when she secured a $250,000 Navy contract to install Unix on ships. Doan soon had 10 employees working under her, a number that has since quadrupled to over 40 employees. Doan’s keen business sense, coupled with her focus on reducing waste and improving quality, has driven her company to become a dominant force in the surveillance technology industry. NTMI is responsible for approximately 80% of the security and surveillance technology protecting the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico.

On April 6, 2006, Doan was nominated by President George W. Bush to lead the GSA. The U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination on May 26 and on May 31; Doan took the oath of office, becoming the 18th Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration. Doan holds the distinction of becoming the first woman to hold the position.

[edit] Community Involvement

In addition to her success as an entrepreneur and business leader, Doan has become an important community leader through her extensive involvement and support. Doan is active in the business community through participation in many trade associations, membership in business organizations, and involvement on charitable community activities. In addition, Doan provides support to the American Red Cross, National Women’s Business Center, D.C. Rape Crisis Center, United Negro College Fund, American Women’s Business Centers, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Whitman Walker Clinic, and many others. Doan has also served on a number of boards and committees including the Vassar College Board of Trustees, the Shakespeare Theatre of Washington, D.C. Board of Trustees, the Committee of 200, Council on Competitiveness, National Association of Women Business Owners, National Association of Female Executives, Women in Technology International, Minority Business Network, and the Northern Virginia Technology Council.