Ed Doran, the editor of the Indian Wells Times, served twenty years in the United States Marine Corps (1955-1975.) He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1975. In addition to command and combat experience as a Regular Marine Officer, his service included recognized leadership in the development and implementation of large-scale computer-based budgeting, financial, personnel, and war fighting systems. During his military career, he was recognized for systematically introducing management science techniques into the process of developmental weapon system testing. Lt Col Doran led six teams composed of Marine Officers, who not only possessed combat experience, but who had also earned graduate degrees in computer science, engineering, or operations research. Under his leadership, these teams successfully undertook the developmental testing of six multimillion-dollar computer-based combat systems, challenging the contractors, Hughes, Litton, General Dynamics, and RCA, to develop cost-effective weapon systems. Ed is the recipient of the Bronze Star with Combat “V”, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and a number of foreign decorations.
Upon retirement from the Marine Corps, Ed joined the faculty of Defense Resources Management Institute (1975-1989), at the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. His Department of Defense “think tank” career included lecturing at the Navy War College, the Army War College, and the Air War College. His international on-the-ground experience with governments involved educating and consulting with senior civilian and military officials in Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Canada, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, and Malaysia. Professor Doran also lectured and advised senior civil servants in the State of Hawaii. He is a student of analytical decision-making in support of strategic planning, programming, and budgeting systems.
Dr. Doran concluded his academic career as first, a faculty member, then the Chairman of the Business Department, the Associate Vice President for Distant Learning, and the Vice President of Saint Leo University (1990-1996), an institution that he was prominent in advancing from College to University status by developing and obtaining accreditation of graduate degree programs in education and business. The University was and continues to be not only a historical Benedictine College, but also a major provider of continuing education online, on-site, and on campuses at community colleges and military bases in the Southeastern United States. Saint Leo University now has 16,000 students and operates 40 off-campus offices and education centers.
Ed also has experience in small business. Tricia, his wife, and he created and operated two businesses in Carmel, California. In 1978, Tricia with Ed’s help built a computer service bureau on the Monterey Peninsula. In 1987, they established and successfully operated a boutique residential real estate brokerage firm, Coast Realty. Tricia, who holds a Master of Public Administration degree from California State University, San Bernardino (2009) also contributes to the Indian Wells Times.
Doran’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania (1955), a Master of Science from the US Naval Postgraduate School in Management (1967), a Master of Business Administration (1972), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Business (1978), with a specialization in quantitative methods, from Santa Clara University.
Edwin J. Doran, is a resident, a property owner, and a voter in the City of Indian Wells. He has been fined on at least three occasions for speeding in his silver Datsun sports car. Other than traffic offenses Ed has no criminal record. He has never filed for bankruptcy. He is not burdened with any liens. Lt. Col. Doran has been the subject of numerous detailed and in depth background checks since he was 18 years old. In most instances these investigations were occasioned by upgrades and/or maintenance of DOD security clearances.