NU general counsel Pottorff to retire June 30
University of Nebraska Vice President and General Counsel James Pottorff, the chief legal officer for the NU system, has announced plans to retire June 30, 2021, after nearly 30 years as a senior legal executive in public higher education and the U.S. military.
Pottorff has served as NU’s general counsel since 2018. He previously was general counsel at the University of Kansas and held various legal positions in the military.
“I’ve enjoyed the challenges and opportunities as counsel to the University of Nebraska and, most importantly, the wonderful colleagues and people at the university and in this great state,” he said. “Now it’s time for me to devote full time to my other roles — husband, dad and grandpa.”
NU System President Ted Carter thanked Pottorff for his dedicated service.
Carter said he will announce plans for a search for Pottorff’s successor soon, with the goal of making an appointment in time to ensure a seamless transition of leadership.
Retirements announced
The department of human resources announced five retirements in January, including the planned retirement on April 1 of Greg Prorok, research operations administrator in the UNMC Department of Surgery. Prorok’s UNMC career was more than 38 years long — he joined UNMC on June 7, 1982.
Other announced retirements include:
- Diane Potter, UNMC College of Nursing-Lincoln Division, retired Jan. 1 (start date Oct. 5, 2005)
- Elizabeth Esser, UNMC Department of Pediatrics-Administration, retired Jan. 23 (start date July 18, 2008
- Denise Waibel-Rybek, UNMC College of Nursing-Kearney Division, retired Jan. 1 (start date Aug. 10, 2020 — original start date Aug. 21, 2006 )