There’s an old line about families like Patricia Manzolillo’s. “We like to say we have postal blue in our veins,” says Manzolillo, AB’92, whose father, sister, grandfather, uncle, and great-uncle all worked for the United States Postal Service (USPS).
So it was perhaps not surprising that Manzolillo would find her way to the agency once led by Benjamin Franklin. Less expected, however, is exactly where within the USPS: the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), its law enforcement arm. Manzolillo has worked for USPIS since 1996, with a long stretch as director of its forensic laboratory. Two years ago, she became director of business operations.
That the postal service has a law enforcement arm is news to many. In fact, the Postal Inspection Service is even older than the nation it serves. Its origins date to 1775, during the Second Continental Congress. This year it celebrates its 250th anniversary.


