Indian American finance leaders Sunit Patel is joining Rice University Board of Trustees, the university’s highest governing authority representing all Rice stakeholders on July 1.
Four other newly elected members, Dr. Barbara Jenkins Gibbs, John V. Jaggers , Robert “Rob” Kaplan, and Akilah Mance, will also begin their term that day, Houston, Texas based university announced.
“All have distinguished themselves in their careers and in service to their communities,” said Robert T. Ladd, chairman of the board of trustees welcoming the new trustees. “We have much to accomplish in the years ahead at Rice, and their wisdom and leadership will help shape the university’s path forward.”
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President Reginald DesRoches echoed Ladd’s sentiment, emphasizing the impact the new trustees will have on Rice’s continued growth and success.
Patel is chief financial officer of Crown Castle International Corp., a leading wireless infrastructure company. Over the course of his career, he has held executive roles across telecommunications and technology sectors.
He has also served as Chief Financial Officer of Ibotta, Inc. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President and Merger and Integration Lead at T-Mobile US, Inc.
In addition, Patel served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CenturyLink, Inc. and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Level 3 Communications Inc.
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He also co-founded and served as Chief Financial Officer of Looking Glass Networks Inc. Before that, he served in senior leadership positions in a number of telecom companies and began his professional career in investment banking.
Patel received a BS in Chemical Engineering and Economics from Rice University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He brings broad experience in financial, accounting and technology matters as well as strategic planning and transactions to the board of directors.
He has been a longtime university volunteer and advisory board member, including serving as chair of the School of Engineering and Computing Advisory Board, and was named a Rice Distinguished Alumnus in 2022.