Paul Sotoudeh will be the next Ombuds for the private research university in Upstate New York beginning in mid-Spetember. He follows Lynnett Van Slyke, who reestablished the office in 2022. Sotoudeh will report to the provost and serve all campus stakeholders, following IOA standards. Sotoudeh comes to the position from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he has been the Chief Ombuds for nearly nine years.
In his two decades of public service, Sotoudeh has also been an Ombuds with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Transportation Security Administration. He has held a variety of volunteer leadership positions with the Coalition of Federal Ombuds, been a speaker at IOA events, and authored a chapter in the IOA's recent book. He graduated from the University of Rochester and earned a JD at Washington and Lee University. (LinkedIn.)
Congratulations Paul! Your support and leadership (along with all the other hard working COFO volunteers) in the federal sector have made such a positive difference for me over the years. I hope this career move is one of excitement and not of necessity, but regardless, University of Rochester scored a big win with this hire.
ReplyDeleteWhoever this is - thank you. It's been an honor to serve as COFO Chair for so long and I'm so glad we've been able to help you. It's a move of excitement - I didn't have to leave - but bittersweet nonetheless. DC will always be home and the federal ombuds community will always be family to me.
DeleteCongratulations Paul, U of Rochester is lucky!
ReplyDeleteMazel tov! Enjoy the festival culture in Monroe County. If you are there soon enough, Clothesline at the Memorial Art Gallery (part of U of R) is a great place to start.
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