Webster v. Shulkin , 707 F. App'x 535 ( 2017 )


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  •                                                                                 FILED
    United States Court of Appeals
    UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS                        Tenth Circuit
    FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT                         August 31, 2017
    _________________________________
    Elisabeth A. Shumaker
    Clerk of Court
    DANA W. WEBSTER,
    Plaintiff - Appellant,
    v.                                                         No. 16-4140
    (D.C. No. 2:13-CV-00095-DAK)
    DAVID J. SHULKIN, Secretary of the                          (D. Utah)
    Department of Veterans Affairs,*
    Defendant - Appellee.
    _________________________________
    ORDER AND JUDGMENT**
    _________________________________
    Before HOLMES, PHILLIPS, and MORITZ, Circuit Judges.
    _________________________________
    Dana Webster applied for several promotions while employed as a police
    officer for the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). He wasn’t
    selected for the positions, and he brought suit against the Secretary of the Department
    of Veterans Affairs (VA) alleging age discrimination and retaliation.1 The district
    court granted summary judgment to the VA, and we affirm.
    I
    *
    David J. Shulkin is substituted as defendant-appellee. See Fed. R. App. P.
    43(c)(2).
    **
    This order and judgment isn’t binding precedent, except under the doctrines
    of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. But it may be cited for its
    persuasive value. See Fed. R. App. P. 32.1; 10th Cir. R. 32.1.
    1
    Webster also brought additional claims, but he doesn’t challenge the district
    court’s resolution of those claims, so we don’t address them further.
    Webster worked as a police officer for the VAMC from 2002 through 2010.
    After he applied and was rejected for several promotions in 2009, Webster filed an
    administrative complaint alleging that the VAMC’s decisions were the result of age
    discrimination or retaliation for his involvement in workplace complaints. Relevant
    here, the administrative law judge concluded that Webster (1) only timely exhausted
    his claims with respect to two missed promotions and (2) failed to establish that
    either of those decisions was based on his age or prior involvement in workplace
    complaints.
    Webster then sued the VA, alleging age discrimination under the Age
    Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1975, 
    29 U.S.C. §§ 621-634
    , and
    retaliation under the ADEA and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII) of 1964,
    42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e-2000e-17. The district court granted the VA’s motion for
    summary judgment. Webster appeals.
    II
    Webster argues that genuine issues of material fact precluded summary
    judgment on his age discrimination and retaliation claims.2
    We review summary judgment orders de novo. Ribeau v. Katt, 
    681 F.3d 1190
    ,
    1194 (10th Cir. 2012). A “court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows
    that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to
    2
    In his opening brief, Webster also argues that the district court applied the
    wrong legal standard by requiring him to support his retaliation claim with a showing
    that he “feared the consequences” of engaging in protected activities. Aplt. Br. 34.
    But Webster concedes in his reply brief that the district court applied the correct legal
    standard to his retaliation claim. Thus, we need not address this argument.
    2
    judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). “When applying this standard,
    we view the evidence and draw reasonable inferences therefrom in the light most
    favorable to the nonmoving party.” Ribeau, 681 F.3d at 1194 (quoting Doe v. City of
    Albuquerque, 
    667 F.3d 1111
    , 1122 (10th Cir. 2012)).
    Webster’s complaint first alleges that the VAMC discriminated against him
    because of his age in violation of the ADEA.3 The ADEA makes it “unlawful for an
    employer . . . to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual or otherwise
    discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms,
    conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s age.”
    
    29 U.S.C. § 623
    (a)(1); see also 
    id.
     § 633a(a) (stating that certain employees of
    federal agencies are protected from age discrimination under the ADEA). A plaintiff
    in an ADEA case can establish a prima facie case of age discrimination for a failure
    to promote by showing that (1) he was within the protected age group at the time his
    employer failed to promote him; (2) he was qualified for the promotion; (3) his
    employer didn’t select him for the promotion; and (4) a younger person was selected
    for the promotion. Furr v. AT&T Techs., Inc., 
    824 F.2d 1537
    , 1542 (10th Cir. 1987).
    The VA doesn’t dispute that Webster states a prima facie case under the ADEA.
    Webster also alleges in his complaint that the VAMC retaliated against him, in
    3
    At oral argument, Webster asserted that the district court erroneously ignored
    a disparate impact claim he brought in his complaint by failing to address that claim
    in the court’s summary judgment order. We decline to address this assertion because
    Webster didn’t raise it until oral argument. See United States v. Dahda, 
    852 F.3d 1282
    , 1293 n.7 (10th Cir. 2017) (explaining that issues raised for first time at oral
    argument are waived).
    3
    violation of the ADEA and Title VII, for engaging in protected workplace activities.
    Specifically, he points to his participation in an interview with an Equal Employment
    Opportunity (EEO) investigator—an interview that concerned his co-worker Officer
    Ryan Zumwalt’s EEO proceeding.4
    Under the ADEA and Title VII, federal employees are protected from
    retaliation for opposing a discriminatory employment practice. See Gomez-Perez v.
    Potter, 
    553 U.S. 474
    , 491 (2008); Dossa v. Wynne, 
    529 F.3d 911
    , 915 (10th Cir.
    2008). To establish a prima facie case of retaliation, the plaintiff must show “(1) that
    he engaged in protected opposition to discrimination, (2) that a reasonable employee
    would have found the challenged action materially adverse, and (3) that a causal
    connection existed between the protected activity and the materially adverse action.”
    Argo v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kan., Inc., 
    452 F.3d 1193
    , 1202 (10th Cir.
    2006) (footnote omitted). For purposes of summary judgment, the VA doesn’t dispute
    that “the circumstances of [Webster’s] two timely [missed-promotion] claims meet
    the criteria for a prima facie case of retaliation.” Aplee. Br. 18.
    4
    A VA employee, former employee, or applicant for employment “who
    believes discrimination occurred on the bas[i]s of race, color, religion, sex, sexual
    orientation, transgender orientation, national origin, age (40 or over), disability,
    genetic information, or retaliation for EEO activities, may initiate a complaint of
    discrimination.” See Filing an EEO Complaint 1 (Oct. 21, 2016), available at
    https://www.va.gov/ORM/EEOcomplaint.asp. In conducting an investigation, an
    EEO investigator “will take sworn statements from the complainant, responsible
    management officials, and other witnesses and gather relevant documents. The
    investigator will prepare a report summarizing the evidence.” Id. at 2.
    4
    If the plaintiff establishes a prima facie case of discrimination or retaliation,
    the burden shifts back to the defendant to produce evidence that it made its decision
    for legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons. Sandoval v. City of Boulder, 
    388 F.3d 1312
    , 1321 (10th Cir. 2004). And if the defendant satisfies its burden of showing that
    it took the challenged action for legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons, then the
    burden shifts back to the plaintiff to establish that the defendant’s explanation is a
    pretext for discrimination or retaliation. 
    Id.
     A plaintiff may show that a defendant’s
    proffered reason is pretextual by demonstrating that it is “so incoherent, weak,
    inconsistent, or contradictory that a rational factfinder could conclude the reason[]
    [is] unworthy of belief.” Hinds v. Sprint/United Mgmt. Co., 
    523 F.3d 1187
    , 1197
    (10th Cir. 2008) (alterations in original) (quoting Young v. Dillon Cos., Inc., 
    468 F.3d 1243
    , 1250 (10th Cir. 2006)).
    Here, the VA contends that the VAMC had legitimate, nondiscriminatory
    reasons for its decision not to select Webster for the two promotions at issue—
    namely, that Webster lacks interpersonal skills and because others were more
    qualified for the positions. In response, Webster acknowledges that he had trouble
    interacting with others at times. But he denies that this was the real reason for his
    missed promotions. In attempting to show that the VAMC’s proffered reasons were a
    pretext for age discrimination or retaliation, Webster points to (1) comments he and
    others overheard regarding older officers; (2) instances of retaliation against him that
    are unrelated to protected EEO activity; (3) his involvement with Zumwalt’s EEO
    complaint; (4) the VA’s failure to follow its policies and procedures in connection
    5
    with Webster’s timely missed-promotion claims; (5) the VA’s failure to follow its
    policies and procedures in connection with Webster’s untimely non-selection claims;
    and (6) evidence regarding the credibility of VAMC employees. For the reasons
    discussed below, we conclude that Webster fails to meet his burden to demonstrate
    pretext.
    A
    Webster points to a number of comments made by Police Chief Albert Bell
    and other VAMC employees about older employees, which he suggests support a
    finding of pretext. The VA responds that the comments are stray comments that are
    insufficient to demonstrate pretext.
    In general, stray or “[i]solated comments, unrelated to the challenged action,
    are insufficient to show discriminatory animus.” Rea v. Martin Marietta Corp., 
    29 F.3d 1450
    , 1457 (10th Cir. 1994). But Webster can show animus by demonstrating a
    nexus between the statements and the VA’s adverse action. See 
    id.
     And Webster can
    demonstrate such a nexus if the comments that resulted in his missed promotions
    were directed at him, his position, or a VAMC policy that resulted in the denial of the
    promotions. See 
    id.
    Webster first points to Officer Steven Anderson’s testimony that Bell told
    Anderson that “[Bell] was hired by [VAMC Associate Director Robin] Korogi to
    clean house, and that he was going to get rid of all the deadwood and all the old
    6
    officers here because he had more guys at Hill Field that he wanted to get on.”5 App.
    vol. 8, 1476. Webster also asserts that he testified that, in October 2009, he overheard
    Bell tell a visitor from Hill Air Force Base that “[Bell] was going to promote some
    more of his people as soon as he got rid of some of the older officers.” Aplt. Add.
    115.
    While Webster argues that these comments show an age bias and therefore
    support a finding of pretext, Anderson himself testified that he believed Bell’s
    comment was referring to officers who were in the department when he arrived as
    chief—not to officers’ ages. Anderson also testified that Webster was the only one
    who interpreted the comments to refer to age instead of officers who had been at the
    VAMC for a long time.
    Moreover, even if we extend to Webster the benefit of an inference no one else
    understood, Webster fails to show that Bell’s comments were directed at him, his
    position, or a VAMC policy that resulted in the denial of the promotions. Thus, these
    statements don’t demonstrate the necessary causal nexus. See Rea, 
    29 F.3d at 1457
    .
    Webster further argues that the only reason Bell didn’t terminate Webster was
    because Webster and others complained about Bell, thus “thwart[ing]” his efforts.
    Rep. Br. 7. But Webster relies only on speculation in reaching this conclusion. Thus,
    5
    Webster also points to an unauthenticated email that was purportedly sent by
    Officer Tony Auriemma to EEO Investigator James Itamura. In the email, Auriemma
    recalled Bell indicating “that he wanted all the older Officers out of the office and
    [wanted] to replace them with new hires from security forces at Hill [Air Force
    Base].” Aplt. Br. 8 (quoting App. vol. 5, 868). Even if this email were admissible, it
    doesn’t show pretext because Webster fails to show a nexus between Bell’s comment
    and Webster’s missed promotions.
    7
    Webster’s theory doesn’t support a finding of pretext. See Ward v. Jewell, 
    772 F.3d 1199
    , 1203 (10th Cir. 2014) (noting that speculation is insufficient to support a
    causal nexus).
    Webster also points to a comment made by Lieutenant Wayne Vouvalis, who
    participated on both panels for Webster’s timely missed promotions. Officer Thomas
    Benincosa testified that Vouvalis told Benincosa that he “saw an old man [meaning
    Officer Auriemma] do a better job than [Benincosa]” at the firing range. Aplt. Add.
    44; see also App. vol. 13, 1036. Webster argues that this comment suggests that
    Vouvalis is biased against older officers. But again, Webster fails to show how this
    comment relates to him, his position, or a VAMC policy to not promote older officers
    to leadership positions. We disagree that this single comment supports a finding that
    Vouvalis is biased against older officers applying for leadership positions. See Rea,
    
    29 F.3d at 1457
    . Therefore, we reject Webster’s argument that Vouvalis’ comment
    supports a finding of pretext.
    Next, Webster points to evidence in the record of several statements Korogi
    made. First, Bell heard Korogi describe three men over age 59 as “worthless,” and
    describe Webster as “her own personal little piggy.” Aplt. Br. 44. But as the VAMC
    points out, Korogi wasn’t the decision-maker with respect to the relevant adverse
    actions, and Webster doesn’t allege Korogi took any discriminatory action against
    him. Further, Bell testified that Korogi’s comments didn’t influence his decisions
    regarding Webster. Therefore, Webster offers no evidence showing a connection
    between Korogi’s statements and the VAMC’s decisions not to promote him.
    8
    Because Webster fails to establish a nexus between any of these comments and
    Webster’s missed promotions, we conclude that they are stray comments insufficient
    to support a finding of pretext.6
    B
    Webster also argues that several instances of alleged retaliation against him
    provide support for his theory that Bell and other VAMC officials “put into play a
    scheme to not only replace older officers with younger officers, but to prevent
    officers [who resisted this plan] from engaging in protected activities.” Aplt. Br. 45.
    We reject this argument for two reasons. First, Webster only speculates that Bell
    concocted such a scheme. Second, and more importantly, Webster doesn’t
    demonstrate that the alleged retaliation was motivated by involvement in protected
    EEO activity. Thus, it can’t support Webster’s retaliation claim. See Petersen v. Utah
    Dep’t of Corr., 
    301 F.3d 1182
    , 1188 (10th Cir. 2002) (noting that actionable Title VII
    retaliation claims must be prompted by employee’s opposition to discrimination
    prohibited by Title VII). Therefore, we reject Webster’s argument that the alleged
    retaliation in response to activities that are not related to Title VII or the ADEA
    6
    Webster also points to a “Report of Contact” which appears on its face to be
    a partially completed, unsigned report depicting an unidentified individual’s
    conversation with Officer Tressa Jordan. App. vol. 4, 625-26. But Webster fails to
    show that the report or the statements within are admissible, and the comments
    within appear to be inadmissible hearsay. Accordingly, we will not consider it. See
    Thomas v. IBM, 
    48 F.3d 478
    , 485 (10th Cir. 1995) (noting that, although a
    nonmoving party on summary judgment doesn’t need to produce evidence in a form
    that’s admissible at trial, the substance of the evidence must be admissible; therefore,
    hearsay testimony inadmissible at trial and unsubstantiated affidavits are insufficient
    to oppose summary judgment motion).
    9
    supports his claims before us.
    C
    In attempting to demonstrate pretext for his retaliation claim, Webster also
    points to the timing of Zumwalt’s EEO complaint, combined with comments Korogi
    made. Citing to a cryptic, heavily redacted email string, Webster states that 11 days
    after Zumwalt filed his EEO complaint in June 2009, Korogi ordered Bell—the
    individual who made the ultimate decision to deny Webster the promotions at issue—
    to start “documentation now” and to investigate Webster as “an option.” App. vol. 7,
    1397-99.
    Webster seems to imply that because (1) Korogi’s email closely followed the
    filing of Zumwalt’s EEO complaint and (2) Webster ultimately participated in
    Zumwalt’s EEO proceeding, Korogi’s comments must have been motivated by that
    participation. And this, Webster seems to speculate, affected Bell’s promotion
    decisions. But the EEO investigator didn’t interview Webster regarding Zumwalt’s
    complaint until October 29, 2009—months after Korogi sent the email that Webster
    relies on. And Webster points to no evidence that Bell knew at the time Korogi sent
    the email that the EEO investigator would eventually interview Webster. Thus, this
    evidence fails to support a finding of pretext.
    D
    Next, Webster argues that the VAMC didn’t follow its policies and procedures
    in connection with his timely missed-promotion claims related to the Lead Police
    Officer and Supervisory Police Officer positions. An agency’s failure to follow its
    10
    policies or procedures may be relevant to a discrimination claim if there are
    “disturbing procedural irregularities” or “deviations from normal company
    procedure.” Conroy v. Vilsack, 
    707 F.3d 1163
    , 1176 (10th Cir. 2013).
    Webster first argues that Bell improperly influenced panel members and
    applicants related to the two promotions at issue. Webster generally argues that Bell
    “blackballed and ostracized” Webster by, among other things, “telling other officers
    that he was a ‘bad apple,’” and that they shouldn’t associate with him. Aplt. Br.
    48-49. But Webster points to nothing indicating that Bell’s comments had anything to
    do with Webster’s age or involvement in protected activities. And while Webster
    suggests that Bell made people write false statements about Webster, Webster doesn’t
    connect this to his missed promotions. As the VA argues, Webster cites to no
    testimony from any of the interview panel members suggesting that Bell influenced
    their evaluations of the candidates.7 Thus, Webster simply hasn’t discredited the
    employer’s nondiscriminatory reasons for failing to promote him. Nor has Webster
    shown that Bell had any influence on the interview panels. Without this, Webster’s
    claims don’t rise above the level of speculation, which is insufficient to demonstrate
    pretext.
    7
    Webster states that Bell gave the panel members “instructions on how the
    panel would operate.” Aplt. Reply Br. 14. But one of Webster’s citations to the
    appellate record only indicates that the human resources department gave Bell
    ultimate decision-making authority, not that he dictated how the panel would operate.
    And the other citation Webster provides is to material that isn’t part of the appellate
    record. Because Webster fails to provide factual support for his assertion on this
    point, we don’t consider it. See Garrett v. Selby Connor Maddux & Janer, 
    425 F.3d 826
    , 840 (10th Cir. 2005) (“[We] cannot take on the responsibility of serving as the
    litigant’s attorney in constructing arguments and searching the record.”).
    11
    Webster next contends that the VAMC cancelled the announcement for the
    Lead Officer position because Webster was the sole applicant, and then reopened the
    vacancy when Webster revealed that he was moving to the Seattle VAMC. In
    support, he points out that Tammy Ice, a former member of the VAMC’s human
    resources department, testified she couldn’t recall the specific reason for cancelling
    that specific position. But Ice also testified that announcements can be cancelled for a
    variety of reasons, including budget issues or personnel needs. Moreover, Ice recalled
    that when the Lead Officer position reopened, the human resources department
    determined Webster was qualified and the VAMC interviewed him for the position.
    Thus, Webster’s contentions regarding the basis for the VAMC’s decision to cancel
    and reopen the vacancy is based solely on speculation.
    Nevertheless, Webster maintains that “the timing of these events” and
    “Webster’s personal knowledge of the promotion process . . . endows this evidence
    with probative weight.” Rep. Br. 16. In support, Webster points to a declaration in
    which he stated that, “[a]s soon as [he] notified management that he had been offered
    a job in the Seattle VAMC, the vacancy was re-opened . . . and Officer Hess was
    given the promotion.” Aplt. Add. 85. But this allegation lacks sufficient specificity to
    prove pretext. For instance, Webster fails to provide the dates on which (1) he
    notified management of the position in Seattle and (2) the VAMC reopened its
    position. Instead, Webster points only to evidence that the VAMC canceled the
    position on November 6, 2009, and that Webster subsequently transferred to the
    Seattle VAMC on January 3, 2010. In other words, Webster points to no evidence
    12
    establishing when he informed the relevant VAMC officials, including Bell, that he
    was planning to transfer. Moreover, as noted above, when the VAMC reopened the
    position, it determined Webster was qualified and interviewed him. Without more
    explanation, we can’t say that the timing here supports a finding of pretext.
    Webster also argues that the VAMC failed to follow VA policy during the
    application process for the Supervisory Police Officer position. Webster argues that
    he was qualified for the position, but the VAMC didn’t interview him for it. Webster
    appears to suggest that because he was qualified for the position and Bell interviewed
    some of the candidates, Bell was required to interview him.
    But Webster’s argument ignores a component of the VA’s policy. As Ice
    explained, when a position is advertised, the VAMC issues a certificate “for each
    applicant or group of applicants who qualify in each eligibility category.”
    App. vol. 1, 184-85. Once the certificates are issued, the selecting official can make a
    selection without interviewing the eligible candidates, or the official can conduct
    interviews before making a selection. If the selecting official (here, Bell) decides to
    conduct interviews, the official isn’t required to interview all of the candidates. But,
    if the selecting official interviews any applicant on a particular eligibility certificate,
    the official is required to interview all candidates listed on that certificate.
    Here, the interview panel for the Supervisory Police Officer position
    interviewed all of the candidates listed on the certificate for candidates who qualified
    under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act. But Webster wasn’t listed on that
    specific certificate. Instead, he was listed on a separate certificate. Thus, because
    13
    Webster wasn’t identified on the same certificate as the candidates who Bell
    interviewed, Bell’s failure to interview Webster did not deviate from agency policy.
    E
    Webster also argues that we should consider whether the VAMC followed VA
    policies and procedures in connection with his untimely missed-promotion claims in
    determining whether Webster has provided evidence of pretext with respect to his
    two timely missed-promotion claims. But as the VA points out, Webster fails to
    demonstrate that the VAMC violated VA procedures with respect to the untimely
    missed-promotion claims. Likewise, he fails to explain how the VAMC’s violation of
    VA procedures with respect to his untimely non-selection claims is relevant to
    support a finding of pretext regarding his timely claims. Accordingly, we reject this
    argument.
    F
    Finally, Webster points to what he characterizes as “VA[MC] personnel’s
    dishonesty and inferior qualifications,” which he argues “defeat [the VAMC’s]
    justification for its failure to promote [him]. Aplt. Reply Br. 22 (emphasis omitted).
    In support, Webster first suggests that evidence of Bell’s “aggressive”
    character supports his claim of pretext. Webster states that the VAMC eventually
    removed Bell from his position as Chief and cites a report describing how Bell
    promoted a culture of fear and intimidation.
    The VA concedes that Bell’s management style was “aggressive” and
    contributed to an unacceptable working environment. Aplee. Br. 44. But the VA
    14
    further acknowledges that Bell was aggressive and intimidating with many
    employees, not just Webster. Webster suggests that such evidence nevertheless
    demonstrates that Bell wasn’t truthful and that the reasons Bell gave for not
    promoting him are “unworthy of credence.” Aplt. Reply Br. 22 (quoting Doyle v.
    Nordam Grp., Inc., 492 F. App’x 846, 849 (10th Cir. 2012) (unpublished)). But
    Webster fails to explain how Bell’s aggressive tendencies might demonstrate that
    Bell was untruthful.
    Next, Webster argues that Bell forced a number of people to write false
    statements about Webster. Webster points to what appears to be the unsworn
    statement of Tressa Jordan, saying that Bell asked her to write a statement against
    Webster and to exaggerate “any little story” so Webster “would appear to be
    extremely paranoid or violent.” App. vol. 4, 655. Likewise, Webster asserts that Bell
    ordered Zumwalt to write a statement against Webster and told Zumwalt what to
    write. But Jordan’s statement and Zumwalt’s affidavit explain that these events
    occurred in March 2009, months before Webster engaged in any activity protected
    under Title VII or the ADEA. Thus, the alleged falsification could not have been
    retaliation for something that occurred months later.
    Webster also alleges that Bell ordered Anderson and Eddie Fisher to write
    false statements indicating that Webster engaged in a workplace violence incident.
    But Webster’s citations to the record fail to provide a timeframe that would support a
    finding of pretext, and the VAMC never suggested that Webster wasn’t promoted
    because of his involvement in a workplace violence incident.
    15
    Webster also points to an email presumably authored by Sergeant Montoya in
    August 2010, in which Montoya claims that “[o]n several occasions Bell asked
    Officers including [Montoya] to write a report of contact (ROC) against Officer
    Webster and would even state what he wanted included in the report.” App. vol. 4,
    622. Montoya’s email fails to reference any time frame for the “several occasions.”
    
    Id.
     Further, the email isn’t an authenticated document and doesn’t appear to fall
    under a hearsay exception. See Thomas v. IBM, 
    48 F.3d 478
    , 485 (10th Cir. 1995).
    Thus, the email isn’t admissible evidence of pretext.
    Finally, Webster points out that Benincosa testified that Bell ordered
    Benincosa to write a statement against Webster because Webster and Zumwalt were
    “coming after [Benincosa].” Aplt. Reply Br. 21. It is unclear, and Webster fails to
    explain, how this testimony provides any support for his retaliation and
    discrimination claims.
    In sum, the evidence relating to Bell’s purported actions in advising others to
    write false statements about Webster fails to support a finding of pretext for his
    claims, because that evidence is either inadmissible or fails to show Bell made such
    requests after Webster engaged in protected activity.
    In addition to citing Bell’s aggressive personality and purported machinations
    to develop false statements about Webster, Webster also suggests that the VAMC’s
    treatment of Ronald Beard supports a finding that the VAMC’s reasons for not
    promoting Webster were pretext. The VAMC hired Beard in 2006 and ultimately
    promoted him to acting chief of police in 2009. Webster claims Beard was “similarly
    16
    situated” to Webster because they both lacked interpersonal skills. Webster points to
    a number of incidents, ostensibly to show Beard’s flawed interpersonal skills. And he
    notes that other people described Beard as “forceful” and “angry.” Id. at 12. But
    Webster points to no evidence indicating that Bell, the decision-maker in Webster’s
    case, promoted Beard above older, more qualified applicants for any position.
    Without such evidence, Webster fails to show how Beard’s flawed interpersonal
    skills support a finding of pretext here. See Martinez v. Wyo. Dep’t of Family Servs.,
    
    218 F.3d 1133
    , 1140 (10th Cir. 2000) (rejecting plaintiff’s discrimination claim
    because he failed to produce evidence that he was a “better qualified candidate” than
    those hired).
    *      *     *
    Because Webster fails to establish pretext for his discrimination or retaliation
    claims, we affirm the district court’s order granting the VA’s motion for summary
    judgment.
    Entered for the Court
    Nancy L. Moritz
    Circuit Judge
    17