Office of the Chief Operating Officer

Comprised of eleven departments, the office is dedicated to operational excellence, innovation, and service, creating a seamless and student-centered environment that empowers faculty, staff, and students.

Patrick Retton HeadshotAbout the COO

Patrick Retton is the Chief Operating Officer of Georgetown Law. With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit and higher education leadership, Patrick specializes in finance, operations, capital planning, and human resources. His career includes leadership roles at Vanderbilt University and George Washington University, where he developed a reputation for fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and aligning resources to achieve institutional priorities.

Dedicated to building inclusive and high-performing teams, Patrick focuses on creating environments where individuals and organizations can thrive. His leadership style emphasizes thoughtful planning, efficient operations, and a commitment to sustainable, long-term success.

Patrick lives in Virginia with his husband and their daughter.


View the Office of the COO organization chart.

Teams
  • Laura Duke Headshot

    Associate Vice President for Finance

    Laura Duke

  • Amy Gillies Headshot

    Deputy Chief Operating Officer

    Amy Gillies

  • Cornelia Gustafson Headshot

    Assistant Dean and Registrar

    Cornelia Gustafson

  • Christine Hammer Headshot

    Executive Director, Office of Event Management & Scheduling

    Christine Hammer

  • Headshot

    Senior Executive Director, Centers & Institutes

    Susan Kim

  • Carleen Kinlock Headshot

    Director, Georgetown Law Early Learning Center

    Carleen Kinlock

  • Houry Kandoyan Headshot

    Project Manager, Operations

    Houry Kandoyan

  • Paul Ohm Headshot

    Chief Data Officer

    Paul Ohm

  • Charles Pruett Headshot

    Assistant Dean for Financial Aid

    Charles Pruett

  • Beverly Sapp Headshot

    Director, Office of Faculty Support

    Beverly Sapp

  • Monica Smith-Stearns Headshot

    Director of Logistics

    Monica Smith-Stearns

  • Ifé Tafari Headshot

    Director of Law Center Human Resources

    Ifé Tafari

  • Wilhelm Wells Headshot

    Executive Assistant

    Wilhelm Wells