Growing up in rural Greensboro, North Carolina, Douglass M. Doggett, Sr. developed
determination, pride and strong work ethics from his grandfather, who was a blacksmith and
textile worker. He attributes his business accomplishments to his early education in a
three-room elementary school. That foundation paved the road for him to later earn a
college degree from Wayne State University.
Upon graduation from Wayne State University in 1971, Doggett began work
in sales and management for the IBM Corporation. During his more than ten years with IBM,
Doggett discovered ways of improving IBM’S already successful philosophy. Based on his
knowledge of the computer industry and his anticipation of the expanding computer market,
Doggett founded Dopar Support Systems, Inc. in 1984.
Doggett serves as President and CEO of this computer products and services firm headquartered
in Detroit’s historic Fisher Building. Dopar is an authorized sales and service center for
Compaq, Digital, Dell, Hewlett- Packard, IBM, Lexmark, Microsoft and Novell. Dopar has
partnered with IBM and Compaq on multi-million dollar projects in the Detroit area that
include the City of Detroit’s DRMS project and Northwest Airlines’ expansion at the Detroit
Metropolitan Airport.
Residing in Farmington Hills, Michigan with his wife and son, Doggett and his family attend
Hope United Methodist Church. His long history of involvement with business and community
organizations includes:
- Past President, Booker T. Washington Business Association, Detroit (BTWBA)
- Board member & Secretary of Don Bosco Hall (program for “at risk” black youth)
- Chairman of the Board of the Hope (United Methodist Church) Economic Development Corp.
- Member of the African American Men’s Organization
- Past Board member of New Detroit, Inc.
- Member of the Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMBDC)
- Member of the African American Association for Businesses & Contractors (A3BC)
- Member of the New Center Council, Inc.
- Member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity
- Member of the Oakland County Political Action Committee
- Member of the Boy Scouts of America Urban Advisory Board
- Board member of the American Eagles (a political action committee)
- Sensei (3d degree black belt) at Southfield Martial Arts Institute
In 1992, Doggett founded the Detroit Public Schools Business Leadership/Youth Involvement
Program, bringing in various successful African American males to interact with “at risk”
students with a focus on succeeding in the workplace.
In 1997, Doggett founded the Dopar “Student of the Month” program that highlights the
positives of inner city Detroit students who exhibit positive involvement in their church,
community, school and/or family relations. This program serves to encourage and highlight
students who may excel in areas besides sports and academics. These students are showcased
in a series of daily, 30-second commercials on CBS-62 and Comcast Cablevision.
