Alumni Hall of Fame - Patricia Flynn Soltys

Headshot of Patricia Flynn Soltys ’72

Patricia Flynn Soltys ’72
Commissioner, Public Service Water District,
Hilton Head, SC and Entrepreneur

Nominated by Robert S. Soltys

“I am eternally grateful to MCC for giving me the start I otherwise would not have had. I love my continuing association with the college and work with our selected scholars. I am honored to be part of this legacy.”

Placed before graduating from Monroe Community College, Patricia Flynn Soltys was hired by Eastman Kodak Company, taking a position in human resources. She would be promoted into various management positions in operations, real estate and to a key position in Washington, D.C., all the while representing Kodak on the Regents Board of Education and serving as chair of the New York State Future Business Leaders of America.

While working at Kodak full time, Patti earned a bachelor of science degree in Psychology and Business Administration at the University of Rochester and a master of business administration through the Simon School’s Executive Development Program.

Transferring to Washington D.C. in 1989, Patti continued her work with Kodak until resigning in 1995. She established her own management consulting business, PARS Consulting, Inc., in 2000 and had several meaningful contracts. Patti relocated to Hilton Head Island, where she has been elected twice in general election, serving as commissioner for the Public Service Water District and as a facilities inspector for a property management company on Saturdays in the summer. In addition, she is involved in various volunteer activities.

Patti has three interests that have stood the test of time: education, community involvement and environmental stewardship. As a two-time cancer survivor, she has counseled women and their families dealing with the traumas associated with living with the disease, capturing the essence of that work in an article which received local and national attention. Identifying a need in her community, Patti helped establish a “Saturday School” to address the childcare needs of Hilton Head Island workers during busy summer months.

Patti has served on several boards. While in Rochester, she served on the board formally known as Alternatives for Battered Women and the Ibero-American League. She currently serves on two boards in Hilton Head Island, one in New York City and one in Orlando. On all the boards and commissions where she currently serves, Patti is the “green” advocate. With the goal of helping students with statuses similar to hers when she was at MCC, Patti stays connected to Rochester and gives back by supporting current MCC students through scholarships.

Patti and her husband Bob currently live on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Their son Andrew lives and works in New York City.