President Obama nominates Valley native for inspector general

WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama has nominated Carol Fortine Ochoa, who grew up in Boardman and Poland, as his nominee for inspector general of the General Services Administration.

The 1976 Cardinal Mooney High School graduate must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before she can get the post.

“She is a consummate workhorse and a consummate professional,” said Mike Fortine of Canfield, her brother. “She never gives up. She’s a worker.”

Ochoa, 57, has spent the past 10 years as assistant inspector general in the IG’s oversight and review division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Before that, she spent three years as director of the oversight and review commission at the DOJ.

“The family is so proud of her,” Fortine said. “If anyone deserves a presidential nomination, it’s her.”

If confirmed, Ochoa would succeed Robert C. Erickson Jr., the acting inspector general for GSA.

Read more about the job and the nominee in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.