Opinion ID: 3011972
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: SOF Team Leader Position

Text: Finally, the Court addresses Elwell’s contention that the District Court erred in dismissing his claim of age discrimination arising out of his nonselection for the SOF Team Leader position. Assuming, without deciding, that nonselection for this project leadership role amounted to an “adverse employment action,” Elwell’s claim fails as it boils down to his assertion that the candidate selected proved to be a disappointing choice and that he could have done a better job. Michael Sobeck, Defendant’s employee who made the hiring decision with respect to this position, asserted that he did not choose Elwell for the job because his staff recommended against his selection due to a lack of confidence in Elwell’s leadership and management skills and because Elwell had expressed doubts about the team’s ability to complete the project. While Elwell asserted that he was the logical choice for the position, -10- he did not present evidence from which a reasonable jury could find that he was discriminated against because of his age. We observe that Elwell’s case is further weakened by the fact that Sobeck was fifty years old at the time he made his hiring choice. See App. at 207; Dungee v. Northeast Foods, Inc., 940 F. Supp. 682, 688 n. 3 (D. N.J. 1996) (citing cases that hold that a plaintiff’s ability to raise an inference of discrimination is hampered when the decision maker is a member of the plaintiff’s protected class).