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 (born Lurita Alexis; January 4, 1958) is a successful businesswoman and a political commentator. She served as the head of the United States General Services Administration (GSA) from 2006 to 2008. The GSA is a government agency that helps other parts of the government buy supplies, technology, and services. Lurita Doan was the first woman to hold this important position.
She is a member of the Republican Party. Today, she shares her opinions on Federal News Radio 1500AM in Washington, D.C., on a show called "Leadership Matters."
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lurita Doan was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1958. Her father, Lucien Victor Alexis, Jr., led a business school for Black students in New Orleans. Her mother was of Louisiana Creole background.
Lurita went to Ursuline Academy, a 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.
Building a Business
After college, Lurita Doan taught as a professor at colleges in Louisiana and Washington, D.C., starting in 1984. In 1986, she began working for a company called Unisys. She spent four years there, helping to set up computer systems.
In 1990, Lurita Doan started her own company, New Technology Management Inc. Her company grew by getting government contracts. For example, in 1993, her company won a $250,000 contract to install computer systems on Navy ships. By 2002, her company was earning $29 million. After 15 years, in 2005, she sold her company and retired. At that time, her company focused on selling special equipment for border security and other government projects.
Leading the GSA
Lurita Doan became very active in the Republican Party because of her business background. On April 6, 2006, President George W. Bush chose her to lead the General Services Administration (GSA). The GSA is in charge of buying supplies, technology, and services for the government. It also manages many government buildings.
The U.S. Senate approved her nomination on May 26, and she officially became the 18th administrator of the GSA on May 31, 2006. She was the first woman to hold this important role.
On April 29, 2008, Lurita Doan resigned from her position. This happened after a recommendation from the United States Office of Special Counsel. They suggested that she had not followed rules about political activities for government employees. There were also some disagreements within the GSA and questions from Congress.
After the GSA
In July 2008, Lurita Doan started her "Leadership Matters" show on Federal News Radio in Washington, D.C. On her show, she talks about how the government buys things, how the federal budget works, and how government agencies are managed.
She has also written articles for major newspapers like USA Today and The Los Angeles Times. You might have also seen her on TV channels like Fox News and CNN. She often shares her thoughts on government spending, how the government buys things, and current events.
Political Involvement
Lurita Doan and her husband, Douglas, have been very involved in the Republican Party. Between 1999 and 2006, they donated a lot of money to Republican campaigns.
In 2003, Vice President Dick Cheney mentioned Lurita Doan in a speech. In 2004, she met with President George W. Bush as a successful woman and minority business owner. She also spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2004.
