Dorothy S. Davidson is Chairman of the Board and CEO of Davidson Technologies, Inc., which has distinguished itself as an innovator in the aerospace and defense industries. The company offers a full spectrum of engineering, technical and management services for missile, rocket, cybersecurity, and strategic intelligence systems.
A native of Northern Virginia, Davidson received a BS in mathematics in 1956.
Her career started as a Research Mathematician with the US Air Force Air Staff at the Pentagon during which time she was selected for the one-year Management Intern Program.
In 1962, Dr. Davidson joined the research staff at the US Patent Office as a research mathematician where she developed algorithms to use in patent searches.
In 1965, Dr. Davidson joined private industry where she worked on Department of Defense programs in designing Command and Control and Information Retrieval systems for both field and headquarters.
During the 1970s, she began designing systems for military use within the NATO community. Within her scope of NATO support, Davidson worked with private industrial firms and research institutes for member countries on the development of weapon systems.
In 1996, she and her husband Dr. Julian Davidson founded Davidson Technologies. After the death of Julian in January 2013, she took on leadership duties at the company.
In 2017, The University of Alabama in Huntsville celebrated the grand opening of the D.S. Davidson Invention to Innovation Center (I2C) business incubator, which provides space for start-ups, innovation teams, and corporate partners to work together in an environment conducive to collaboration. The Center also helps UAH connect with federal research agencies on Redstone Arsenal and the larger high-tech community.
Dr. Davidson has been active in the community providing her time and resources in support of organizations, including the Huntsville Museum of Art, the Huntsville Symphony, the Saturn V Restoration Executive Committee, the US Space and Rocket Center, the National Children Advocacy Center, Calhoun Community College, Boys and Girls Club, and the Auburn University Museum of Art.
She has helped fund the construction of the Davidson Center for Space Exploration. The Center’s mission is to honor the many Alabama engineers who worked in the missile and space programs at Redstone Arsenal and Marshall Space Flight Center, as well as celebrate the life of Werner von Braun, who played a crucial role in America’s space and defense programs.
In addition to Dr. Davidson’s contributions to community, science, and culture, she supports at-risk youth in Alabama. With her purchase of a 10,000 square foot home on ten acres for the Kids to Love Foundation, she has provided girls in the Huntsville foster care system with a place to receive support and guidance. She has also fully funded the Kids to Love KTech Program, which teaches skills related to advanced manufacturing, finance, automotive, and healthcare.
Furthermore, she supports Girls Inc., a mentorship and empowerment program, and scholarship programs at Greengate School, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and Auburn University.
