Photo by Christina VanHorn,
UNH Human Resources

Joe Doucet is cut from the fabric of Manchester, NH west side, a French-speaking blue collar neighborhood. The oldest of four boys, Joe grew up under his father's steady guide, a rock-solid force who possessed long view vision, uncommon for men of his background.

"For a man with a high school education, my dad had a very broad view of the world," Joe said. "He really encouraged us to develop that same view, and he broadened our horizons." From early on, Joe's dad encouraged education as a focal point for his sons. "Going to college was something my dad and mom always stressed was the ticket," Joe said. "My dad was also the most honest person I've ever met, and his sense of integrity is impeccable. For me, those are pretty strong things that I've tried to emulate in my life."

As a youth, Joe and his brothers spent much of their free time at the Manchester Boys Club, learning the finer points of archery, pool and ping pong as well as many team sports from soccer, basketball to floor hockey. "The Boy's Club really filled a huge void for me and my brothers. It's a great program, and I'd hate to think where I'd be without it."

Joe attended Saint Anselm College in Manchester, and although he majored in Natural Science, a computer programming class ultimately altered his career path, and sparked a passion for technology.

While at Saint Anselm, Joe met a monk named Brother Malachy, who kept a close eye on Joe after his departure from school in the middle of sophomore year. "I was spending a lot of my own money and not getting much out of it." Brother Malachy kept in touch with Joe and eventually offered Joe a position in the college mail room in exchange for free classes. "Brother Malachy saw something in me, and really took the time to invest in me. That's really something I can't imagine my life without. When I went back I was a much more serious student, working on a loading dock has a way of doing that."

Working at Saint Anselm also provided Joe with a glimpse into the future. "It planted a seed in me. I really enjoyed being around the academic environment. I enjoy all that is has to offer, and it's really one of the major reasons I ended up working here at UNH."

Joe and his wife Mary live Manchester with their four children: Matthew (UNH class 2004), Kathryn (UNH class 2005), Mary-Elizabeth and Margaret (who both currently attend UNH.)

Joe's career track in technology began while working for BankEast. He began working as a second shift check sorter, and worked his way up to assistant computer operations manager and eventually achieved his goal of getting an opportunity as a programmer analyst. From there, he moved onto EnergyNorth, where he worked for nine years as a programmer analyst, senior programmer analyst and eventually moved onto the role of applications development manager, during which, among other things, he helped manage the transition for the changeover from IBM mainframe computers to a client/server environment.

Joe currently works as the Director of the Enterprise Computing Group (ECG). ECG provides system administration and Data Center management, including hardware and software installation and support for UNH/USNH information systems, middleware administration and support. Also included are monitoring and backing up central computing systems for academic and administrative use, as well as centralized printing for Unix and VMS based functions. ECG includes the Management Information System staff, who provide applications development, management reporting, administration, and related support for the various components of the UNH and USNH enterprise applications systems-finance, student, human resources, research administration and alumni, in collaboration with the respective partners and clients.

Joe came to UNH from the corporate tangles of Tyco International in Exeter, a world far removed from the academic environment. "I like the kind of people the university attracts," he said. "For the most part, you get the sense that the folks who work here are very committed to a higher ideal. Their hearts are in a place that's best for the university, and not necessarily what's in their own best interest, and that's what I enjoy so much about being here. It's something you just don't find in corporate America."

Outside of work, Joe is a passionate Red Sox fan. His earliest Sox memories include the 1967 miracle season, and he will never forget where he was when Bucky Dent broke hearts across New England. "In my car at a stop sign, on the corner of South Main and Second Street. I couldn't believe it."

Joe also loves to golf. He also jogs during lunch 4-5 days a week. "It really helps clear my head," he said. "I also like to cook and eat. Working out at lunch is a compromise, because I'd never give up the eating part."

Joe's ultimate dream is to someday teach third grade. "Education is very important to me," he said. "I had some great teachers when I was younger who really spent some time with me, and it really made a difference in my life. Someday, I'd like to give that back."