Lurita Doan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lurita Doan
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| 18th Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration |
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| In office May 31, 2006 – April 29, 2008 |
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| President | George W. Bush |
| Deputy | David Bibb (2003–2008) |
| Preceded by | Stephen A. Perry |
| Succeeded by | James A. Williams (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lurita Alexis
January 4, 1958 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Vassar College University of Tennessee |
| Profession | Radio Commentator |
Lurita Alexis Doan was born on January 4, 1958. She is a successful businesswoman and a political commentator. From May 2006 to April 2008, she served as the head of the United States General Services Administration (GSA). This government agency helps other parts of the government buy supplies, technology, and services. It also manages many government buildings. Lurita Doan was the first woman to lead the GSA.
She is a member of the Republican Party. Today, Doan shares her opinions on Federal News Radio 1500AM in Washington, D.C.. She hosts a weekly show called "Leadership Matters."
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lurita Doan was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her father, Lucien Victor Alexis, Jr., led a business school for Black students in New Orleans. Her mother was from a group called Louisiana Creole.
Doan went to Ursuline Academy, a Roman Catholic school for girls in New Orleans. She finished school there in 1975. Later, she studied English at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and graduated with honors. In 1983, she earned a master's degree in Renaissance Literature from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Business Career
In 1984, Doan started teaching as a part-time professor at colleges. She taught in Louisiana, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. From 1986 to 1990, she worked for Unisys. There, she helped set up computer systems.
In 1990, Lurita Doan started her own company, New Technology Management Inc. Her company received government contracts, partly because it was certified as a minority-owned business. By 1993, her company had a $250,000 contract to install computer systems on Navy ships. By 2002, her company's earnings had grown to $29 million. After 15 years, in 2005, Doan sold her company and retired. At that time, her company focused on selling special equipment for border security and other projects to the government.
Government Service
Because of her success in business, Lurita Doan became active in the Republican Party. On April 6, 2006, President George W. Bush chose her to lead the General Services Administration (GSA). The GSA is very important because it handles many purchases and properties for the U.S. government.
The U.S. Senate approved her nomination on May 26, 2006. She officially became the 18th Administrator of the GSA on May 31. She served in this role until April 29, 2008, when she resigned. Her resignation followed a recommendation from the United States Office of Special Counsel. This recommendation was about rules for government employees and their political activities. There had also been some disagreements within the GSA during her time there.
After Government Service
In July 2008, Doan began her "Leadership Matters" show on Federal News Radio in Washington, D.C. On this show, she talks about how the government buys things, budget issues, and how government agencies are managed.
She has also written opinion articles for major newspapers like USA Today and The Los Angeles Times. Lurita Doan has appeared on TV channels such as Fox News and CNN. She shares her thoughts on government spending, how the government buys goods and services, and current events.
Doan is also a member of the Belizean Grove. This is a special women's social club in New York City that you can only join by invitation.
Political Involvement
Between 1999 and 2006, Lurita Doan and her husband, Douglas, supported Republican political campaigns. Douglas Doan was a former military intelligence officer.
In 2003, Vice President Dick Cheney mentioned Lurita Doan in a speech. In 2004, she met with President George W. Bush as a successful female minority business owner. She also spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2004.
