Lurita Doan
Encyclopedia
Lurita Alexis Doan is an African American, conservative commentator on Federal News Radio 1500AM in Washington, DC, and the host of the weekly opinion editorial, Leadership Matters. Doan was formerly the Administrator of the United States
General Services Administration
from May 31, 2006, to April 29, 2008. She was the first woman to hold the position.
, head of a New Orleans business school for black students. Her grandfather was Lucien Alexis, Sr., a prominent New Orleans businessman.http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2004/12/12/southern_discomfort/ Doan attended Ursuline Academy
, a Catholic school for girls in New Orleans. She graduated from Ursuline in 1975. Doan graduated with honors in English from Vassar College
in New York. Doan received a master’s degree in Renaissance Literature in 1983 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
.
as a technician deploying Unix
systems. Doan launched her company, New Technology Management Inc.
in 1990. Minority-contractor certification helped her access government contracts. http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/0005/ma000502.htm In 1993, Doan secured a $250,000 Navy contract to install Unix on ships. By 2002, revenues had grown to $29 million. In 2005, Doan sold her firm for an undisclosed sum to a group of investors and retired.
On April 6, 2006, Doan was nominated by President George W. Bush to head the General Services Administration. She was confirmed by unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate on May 26 and was sworn in as the 18th administrator of GSA on May 31. On April 29, 2008 Doan submitted her resignation
in accordance with a request from the White House
, which did not disclose the reason for the request. The resignation followed a recommendation by the United States Office of Special Counsel
to discipline Doan for violating the Hatch Act
, in addition to a period of internal GSA conflicts with the agency’s inspector general and a number of congressional and special counsel inquiries.
In July 2008, Doan began her "Leadership Matters" commentaries on Federal News Radio in Washington, D.C., discussing government contracting, federal budget issues and government managerial practices. She is also a regular contributor to The Arena at Politico.com and to Biggovernment.com, and has occasionally published opinion editorials in several major U.S. daily newspapers, such as USA Today and The Los Angeles Times. Doan has also appeared as a guest contributor on Fox News, CNN and other cable networks with commentary on fiscal discipline, government contracting practices, the federal budget and current affairs.
Doan is a member of the Belizean Grove
, an invitation-only women's social club based in New York City
.
Doan, a Republican Party
member, was cited by Vice President Dick Cheney
in a speech at the Small Business Administration
in 2003. She met with President George W. Bush
, as the female owner of a small business, in 2004. In 2004, she addressed the Republican National Convention
.
Doan has been involved in the business community through participation in many trade associations, membership in business organizations including the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (now Entrepreneurs' Organization)
and Young Presidents' Organization
, 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.
On April 29, 2008, facing a recommendation by the United States Office of Special Counsel
that Doan be "disciplined to the fullest extent" for "the most pernicious of political activity" prohibited by the Hatch Act and an ongoing congressional investigation, Doan submitted her resignation in accordance with a request from the White House. Doan stated that "It has been a great privilege to serve our nation and a great President."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
General Services Administration
General Services Administration
The General Services Administration is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1949 to help manage and support the basic functioning of federal agencies. The GSA supplies products and communications for U.S...
from May 31, 2006, to April 29, 2008. She was the first woman to hold the position.
Early life
Doan was born the daughter of Lucien Victor Alexis, Jr.1941 Harvard–Navy lacrosse game
The Harvard-Navy lacrosse game of 1941 was an intercollegiate lacrosse game between the Harvard University Crimson and the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen on April 4, 1941. The game was played at Navy's campus in Annapolis, Maryland. Before the game, the Naval Academy's superintendent told...
, head of a New Orleans business school for black students. Her grandfather was Lucien Alexis, Sr., a prominent New Orleans businessman.http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2004/12/12/southern_discomfort/ Doan attended Ursuline Academy
Ursuline Academy (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Ursuline Academy is a private, Roman Catholic, all-girls high school and elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans...
, a Catholic school for girls in New Orleans. She graduated from Ursuline in 1975. Doan graduated with honors in English from Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
in New York. Doan received a master’s degree in Renaissance Literature in 1983 from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
.
Career
In 1984, Doan began teaching as an adjunct professor at colleges in Louisiana, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. From 1986 she worked 4 years with UnisysUnisys
Unisys Corporation , headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, United States, and incorporated in Delaware, is a long established business whose core products now involves computing and networking.-History:...
as a technician deploying Unix
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
systems. Doan launched her company, New Technology Management Inc.
New Technology Management Inc.
New Technology Management Inc. is a supplier of border surveillance technology now in use at land border ports of entry throughout the United States.-Corporate history:...
in 1990. Minority-contractor certification helped her access government contracts. http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/0005/ma000502.htm In 1993, Doan secured a $250,000 Navy contract to install Unix on ships. By 2002, revenues had grown to $29 million. In 2005, Doan sold her firm for an undisclosed sum to a group of investors and retired.
On April 6, 2006, Doan was nominated by President George W. Bush to head the General Services Administration. She was confirmed by unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate on May 26 and was sworn in as the 18th administrator of GSA on May 31. On April 29, 2008 Doan submitted her resignation
Resignation
A resignation is the formal act of giving up or quitting one's office or position. It can also refer to the act of admitting defeat in a game like chess, indicated by the resigning player declaring "I resign", turning his king on its side, extending his hand, or stopping the chess clock...
in accordance with a request from the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, which did not disclose the reason for the request. The resignation followed a recommendation by the United States Office of Special Counsel
United States Office of Special Counsel
The United States Office of Special Counsel is a permanent independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency whose basic legislative authority comes from three federal statutes, the Civil Service Reform Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Hatch Act...
to discipline Doan for violating the Hatch Act
Hatch Act
Hatch Act may refer to:*Hatch Act of 1887, United States federal legislation that created agricultural experiment stations*Hatch Act of 1939, tightened in 1940, United States federal legislation aimed at corrupt political practices, prevented federal civil servants from campaigning...
, in addition to a period of internal GSA conflicts with the agency’s inspector general and a number of congressional and special counsel inquiries.
In July 2008, Doan began her "Leadership Matters" commentaries on Federal News Radio in Washington, D.C., discussing government contracting, federal budget issues and government managerial practices. She is also a regular contributor to The Arena at Politico.com and to Biggovernment.com, and has occasionally published opinion editorials in several major U.S. daily newspapers, such as USA Today and The Los Angeles Times. Doan has also appeared as a guest contributor on Fox News, CNN and other cable networks with commentary on fiscal discipline, government contracting practices, the federal budget and current affairs.
Doan is a member of the Belizean Grove
Belizean Grove
The Belizean Grove is an elite, invitation-only American women's social club, located at 17 East 89th Street in New York City. Founded in 1999 by Susan Stautberg, a former Westinghouse Broadcasting executive, the Belizean Grove includes approximately 115 to 125 influential members from the...
, an invitation-only women's social club based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Politics
Between 1999 and 2006, Doan and her husband, Douglas, a former military intelligence officer and business liaison official at the Department of Homeland Security, donated nearly $226,000 to Republican campaigns and causes.Doan, a Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member, was cited by Vice President Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
in a speech at the Small Business Administration
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...
in 2003. She met with President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, as the female owner of a small business, in 2004. In 2004, she addressed the Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
.
Community involvement
Doan has been involved in the business community through participation in many trade associations, membership in business organizations including the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (now Entrepreneurs' Organization)
Entrepreneurs' Organization
The Entrepreneurs' Organization is a global non-profit organization, whose stated mission is to "Engage leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow." EO was formerly known as YEO .- Founding Members :...
and Young Presidents' Organization
Young Presidents' Organization
The Young Presidents’ Organization is a global network of young chief executives. With approximately 18,000 members in more than 100 countries, YPO and its graduate organization, WPO share a founding mission: Better Leaders Through Education and Idea Exchange....
, and involvement on charitable community activities. In addition, Doan provides support to the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
, National Women’s Business Center, D.C. Rape Crisis Center, United Negro College Fund
United Negro College Fund
The United Negro College Fund is an American philanthropic organization that fundraises college tuition money for black students and general scholarship funds for 39 private historically black colleges and universities. The UNCF was incorporated on April 25, 1944 by Frederick D. Patterson , Mary...
, American Women’s Business Centers, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a non-profit organization in the United States established to provide the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis . The Foundation provides information about cystic fibrosis and finances CF research that aims to improve the quality of life for people with the...
, Whitman-Walker Clinic
Whitman-Walker Clinic
Whitman-Walker Health , , is the largest nongovernmental HIV/AIDS health care organization in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It has historically served a primarily LGBT clientele...
, 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
The Committee of 200
The Committee of 200 is an invitation-only membership organization of successful women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders.-History:It was created in 1982 by a small handful of successful and powerful women in business, including fashion designer Kay Unger and American comic book editor and...
, 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.
Controversies
- Within weeks of assuming her position as head of the GSA in 2006, Doan proposed a no-bid contract with public relations firm owner Edie Fraser for an analysis of how GSA could improve on its record of awarding business to minority and woman-owned businesses. Fraser is a woman with whom Doan and her prior company, New Technology Management, had an "extensive personal and business relationship." Doan did not have authority to award such a contract on a no-bid basis, and the proposal was called off. Rep. Henry WaxmanHenry WaxmanHenry Arnold Waxman is the U.S. Representative for , serving in Congress since 1975. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He is considered to be one of the most influential liberal members of Congress...
(D-CA), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, later alleged that Doan "attempted to go forward with issuing a $20,000 no-bid contract to Fraser even after GSA General Counsel Alan Swendiman repeatedly advised that the contract be terminated due to its questionable legality." Swendiman later transferred to work in the White House Office of Administration.
- In 2007, the Washington Post reported on several controversies involving Doan. In one, Doan intervened in an effort to determine whether five major contractors should be suspended from doing business with the federal government for failing to turn over rebates on travel on government contracts. In another, Doan proposed to curb the agency's contract audits and to cut the inspector general's budget by $5 million. The inspector general had reported that the audits, which aim to ensure that the government is getting the best prices for goods and services, had saved taxpayers more than $1 billion over the previous two years, while Doan contended that the budget cuts were part of an attempt to rein in spending at the GSA. In March 2007, a Congressional investigation by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform produced findings critical of Doan. Ranking Member Rep. Tom DavisThomas M. DavisThomas Milburn "Tom" Davis III was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Virginia's 11th congressional district in Northern Virginia. Davis was considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by five-term incumbent and fellow Republican John...
(R-VA) published a separate set of findings defending her conduct.
- On March 26, 2007, in a front page story, the Washington Post reported Doan had violated the Hatch ActHatch ActHatch Act may refer to:*Hatch Act of 1887, United States federal legislation that created agricultural experiment stations*Hatch Act of 1939, tightened in 1940, United States federal legislation aimed at corrupt political practices, prevented federal civil servants from campaigning...
:
- Once again, Doan appeared in front of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on June 13, 2007, whereupon Chairman Waxman suggested she resign. In a House Oversight Committee staff report, Congressman Tom Davis, cited evidence that the General Counsel Alan Swendiman only "sent a memo to Chief of Staff John Phelps stating that Diversity Best Practices should be notified in writing of the termination of the “service order,” and that Swendiman and Doan never spoke on this matter.
- Doan also faced accusations of interfering with the extension of a contract involving Sun Microsystems. Sun Microsystems announced the end of its long-standing contract with the federal government in mid-September 2007. However, the week before Sun announced its decision, Doan alerted Congress to factors that may provide disincentives for companies to do work with the federal government. Doan expressed her concerns in a Sept. 7, 2007, letter to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) about the credibility of the GSA Inspector General's office and how that credibility gapCredibility gapCredibility gap is a political term that came into wide use during the 1960s and 1970s. At the time, it was most frequently used to describe public skepticism about the Lyndon B. Johnson administration's statements and policies on the Vietnam War...
can adversely affect relations with vendors, stating:
- Sun announced its decision to stop selling directly through the GSA.
On April 29, 2008, facing a recommendation by the United States Office of Special Counsel
United States Office of Special Counsel
The United States Office of Special Counsel is a permanent independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency whose basic legislative authority comes from three federal statutes, the Civil Service Reform Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act and the Hatch Act...
that Doan be "disciplined to the fullest extent" for "the most pernicious of political activity" prohibited by the Hatch Act and an ongoing congressional investigation, Doan submitted her resignation in accordance with a request from the White House. Doan stated that "It has been a great privilege to serve our nation and a great President."