Harold G. Doran, Jr., Elected National Chairman of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
Hollywood, FL (August 11, 2011) – The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Harold G. Doran, Jr., as chairman of the National Board of Directors. Serving on the National Board since 2005, he previously held the position of treasurer, chaired the finance committee and chairs the planned giving committee.
A banking industry veteran, Doran has dedicated a significant amount of time and resources to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes ever since his son, Will, was diagnosed with the disease at age 2 in 1994. After first learning about the Diabetes Research Institute almost a decade ago, Doran and his wife, Kelly, have given the organization their full commitment due to its passion, leadership and sole focus on finding a cure.
“The best researchers in their fields from all over the world are at the DRI, where we have an amalgamation of physicians, scientists and engineers working together for the cure,” said Doran. “I really don’t care who finds the cure for diabetes, but I do think it’s going to come at the DRI or from research that was done at the DRI because these are the leading scientists in the world working day and night on this one problem, and they’re solely focused on that.”
“The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation is extremely fortunate to have Harold serve as chairman of the board. He has a proven track record in the finance sector and a sheer determination to find a cure for his son. It’s a natural fit, and I think Harold is going to continue to lead this organization in a very positive direction,” said Robert A. Pearlman, president and CEO of the DRI Foundation.
Doran served as president and chief executive officer of the Peoples Bank of Murray in Murray, Kentucky, from 1988 to 2000. He started his career at the bank in 1977. He currently serves on several boards of directors, including Investors Heritage Capital Corporation, Investors Heritage Life Insurance Co., Murray State University Foundation and the Murray-Calloway Economic Development Corporation.
Additionally, he has held various leadership positions with several organizations, including chairman of the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority and the Bank of Lyon County; president of the Murray State University Alumni Association and the Four Rivers Scout Council, BSA; vice-chairman of the Dees Bank of Hazel; director of the Bank of Livingston County; trustee of the National Scouting Museum, BSA; and was a member of the Leadership Kentucky Class 1988.
Doran received a Bachelor of Science in Business at Murray State University in 1975 and a Masters of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1977.
He is married to Kelly Williams Doran, a retired mathematics instructor at Murray State University. The couple also has a daughter, Sarah.
To view video footage of Doran and learn more about his vision for the DRI Foundation, visit DiabetesResearch.org/HaroldDoran.
The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) is the organization of choice for those who are serious, passionate and committed to curing diabetes. Its mission is to provide the Diabetes Research Institute with the funding necessary to cure diabetes now.
The Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) leads the world in cure-focused research. As the largest and most comprehensive research center dedicated to curing diabetes, the DRI is aggressively working to shrink the timeline toward the discovery of a biological cure for this disease. Having already shown that diabetes can be reversed through islet transplantation, the DRI is building upon these promising outcomes by bridging cell-based therapies with emerging technologies. The Diabetes Research Institute was created for one reason – to cure diabetes – which is and will continue to be its singular focus until that goal is reached. For the millions of people affected by diabetes, the DRI is the best hope for a cure.
For more information, call 1-800-321-3437 or visit DiabetesResearch.org.
Media Contact:
Lauren Schreier
954.964.4040
lschreier@drif.org