Operational Excellence

Environmental Stewardship is What We Do

EnvironmentOperational ExcellenceEarth Day

The Departments of Commerce joined the international celebration of Earth Day at its Herbert C. Hoover (HCHB) Building on April 21, 2016. We hosted several environmentally-...

Mar172016

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Honoring Women in Public Service and Government

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellenceScience, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

When I reflect on this year’s women’s history month theme, “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government,” I am inspired by the women...

Jan212016

Department of Commerce’s Veteran Entrepreneur Initiative team receiving the 2015 President’s Award for Customer Service

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Commerce’s BusinessUSA Team Wins President’s Award for Customer Service to America's Veterans

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellenceBusinessUSAVeteran Entrepreneur Initiative

On December 15, 2015, the Department of Commerce’s BusinessUSA team was awarded an inaugural President’s Award for Customer Service by the White House at the Unlocking the...

Nov242015

Commerce Department Seeks Candidates for Digital Economy Board of Advisors

Operational ExcellenceInnovationBruce H. AndrewsDigital Economy

U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Bruce Andrews today announced the Department is seeking candidates to serve on a new Digital Economy Board of Advisors, which Commerce is...

Nov242015

Francis Gray, Primary Patent Examiner, United States Patent and Trademark Office

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Spotlight on Commerce: Francis Gray, Primary Patent Examiner, United State Patent and Trademark Office

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellenceSpotlight on CommerceNative American Heritage Month

I am a patent examiner, so I review, evaluate and determine the outcome and patentability of applications in electrophotography, also known as printers. I decided to join the...

Nov232015

Cisco Minthorn, Former Senior Advisor for Native American Affairs and Associate Director of her Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Office

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Spotlight on Commerce: Cisco C. Minthorn, Senior Advisor for Native American Affairs and Associate Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellenceSpotlight on CommerceNative American Heritage Month

As the Secretary’s Senior Advisor for Native American Affairs and Associate Director of her Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Office, I serve two distinct roles at...

Oct212015

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Receives Commercial Diplomat of the Year Award

Operational ExcellenceAbout the U.S. Department of CommerceTrade and InvestmentPenny PritzkerJohn Kerry

Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker was honored as the inaugural recipient of the “Commercial Diplomat of the Year Award” at the Foreign Policy Diplomat of...

Oct162015

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Awarded Trade Leadership in the Digital Age Award From National Foreign Trade Council

Trade and InvestmentOperational ExcellenceTrans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC)

Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker received the “Trade Leadership in the Digital Age Award” at the National Foreign Trade Council’s Annual World Dinner...

Oct152015

Marguerite Jimenez, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Secretary

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Spotlight on Commerce: Marguerite Jimenez, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Secretary

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellenceHispanic Heritage MonthSpotlight on Commerce

I was born in California but grew up mostly in a college town in Montana. I am fortunate to have two amazing parents who both pushed me to work hard and supported me while I...

Oct142015

Maria Luisa Escudero Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce

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Spotlight on Commerce: Maria Luisa Escudero, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Secretary

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellenceHispanic Heritage MonthSpotlight on Commerce

I am a Senior Policy Advisor in the Global Economics Team which is a part of the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning in the Office of the Secretary (currently on a detail...

Oct092015

Alejandro Rodriguez, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary

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Spotlight on Commerce: Alejandro Rodriguez, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary

Operational ExcellenceAbout the U.S. Department of CommerceOpen for Business AgendaSpotlight on CommerceHispanic Heritage Month

This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting members of the Department of Commerce and their contributions to the Open for Business Agenda.

Oct092015

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MBDA National Director Recognized for Leadership and Commitment to the Hispanic Business Community

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellenceHispanic Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens...

Oct082015

Gabriela Morales-Richards, Business Development Specialist, Minority Business Development Agency

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Spotlight on Commerce: Gabriela Morales-Richards, Business Development Specialist, Minority Business Development Agency

Operational ExcellenceAbout the U.S. Department of CommerceOpen for Business AgendaSpotlight on CommerceHispanic Heritage Month

This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting members of the Department of Commerce and their contributions to the Open for Business Agenda.

Tools and Resources

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Operational Excellence

Type of Tool or Resource:

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Operational ExcellenceAbout the U.S. Department of CommerceOpen for Business AgendaSpotlight on Commerce

Strengthening the Department's capacity to achieve its objectives, maximize return on program investments, and deliver quality, timely service.

Sep302015

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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Ready to Open Two New Regional Offices

InnovationOperational ExcellenceIntellectual Property (IP)

Over the next six weeks the USPTO will open permanent offices in two new locations – the Silicon Valley Regional Office in San Jose will open on October 15 and the Texas...

Jun262015

Secretary Pritzker with Commerce Employees for Public Service Recognition Week

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Five Ways the Department of Commerce Improves Operational Excellence

Operational ExcellenceOpen for Business AgendaStrategic Plan

The Strategic Plan’s Operational Excellence pillar calls for strengthening organizational capabilities to drive customer-focused, outcomes-driven mission performance across...

Feb262015

Written Testimony by Secretary Penny Pritzker on the U.S. Department of Commerce Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request

Operational ExcellencePenny PritzkerFiscal Year 2016 BudgetNational Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI)National Strategy for Trusted Identities in CyberspaceManufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)Open for Business AgendaRegional Innovation Strategies Program (RIS)

Chairman Shelby, Ranking Member Mikulski, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for this opportunity to discuss with you President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) Budget...

Feb032015

FY 2016 budget request prioritizes innovation

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FY 2016 Budget Request Prioritizes Innovation

InnovationOperational ExcellenceFiscal Year 2016 BudgetNational Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI)Open for Business AgendaPenny Pritzker

Yesterday, Secretary Pritzker released the U.S. Department of Commerce’s fiscal year 2016 budget request. The FY 2016 budget request supports and builds on President Obama’s...

Jan282015

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Honoring Our Outstanding Employees

Operational Excellence

Yesterday, I had the honor of presenting awards to outstanding employees at the Commerce Department’s 66th annual Gold and Silver Honor Awards ceremony.

Dec092014

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BEA Operational Improvements Enable Agency to Publish More Regional Economic Statistics

DataOperational ExcellenceOpen for Business Agenda

Operational improvements at the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) mean the public will soon get to see more regional economic data.

Dec122014

Defining Operational Excellence One Person at a Time

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Defining Operational Excellence One Person at a Time

Operational ExcellenceMalcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

When you’re striving for excellence, it helps to have an example. It’s much easier to work hard on something when you’ve seen others succeed despite obstacles.

Dec152014

Operational Excellence in Federal Spectrum Management

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Operational Excellence in Federal Spectrum Management

Operational ExcellenceSpectrum ManagementTelecommunications

One of the core functions of the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is to manage federal uses of wireless spectrum...

Dec162014

Tech Week 2014: Optimizing Patent Examiner Training through Volunteer Experts

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Tech Week 2014: Optimizing Patent Examiner Training through Volunteer Experts

InnovationOperational ExcellencePatent Examiner Technical Training ProgramUSPTO Tech WeekSmall Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

The first week in December, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) held Tech Week, an opportunity for representatives from corporations, universities, and...

Dec182014

NOAA’s National Hurricane Center Implements New Products to Help U.S. Coastal Communities Become More Resilient

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NOAA’s National Hurricane Center Implements New Products to Help U.S. Coastal Communities Become More Resilient

EnvironmentOperational ExcellenceEconomic Recovery and Resiliency

The 2014 hurricane season is over and, once again, no major hurricanes (Category 3 of higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale) struck the United States

Oct282014

Deputy Secretary Andrews Emphasizes How National Weather Service Employees’ Work is Central to the Department’s Mission

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Deputy Secretary Andrews Emphasizes How National Weather Service Employees’ Work is Central to the Department’s Mission

EnvironmentOperational ExcellenceWeather forecastingEmployee Engagement

Deputy Commerce Secretary Bruce Andrews traveled to Kansas City, MO, yesterday to meet with National Weather Service (NWS) employees

Oct272014

Remarks at National Weather Service Employees Organization Convention, Kansas City, Missouri

EnvironmentOperational ExcellenceEmployee EngagementWeather forecasting

I’m here today because of how vital NOAA’s National Weather Service, its mission, and its people are to our country

Jun302014

Acting Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews (L) is joined by Senator Bennet, Deputy USPTO Director Lee, Mayor Hancock and others at the ribbon cutting for the USPTO's Denver office

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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Opens New Satellite Office in Denver, Colorado to Speed up the Patent Process and Create Local Jobs

Operational ExcellenceInnovationOpen for Business AgendaBruce H. Andrews

Today Acting U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrews and Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the USPTO Michelle K. Lee...

Apr152014

President Barack Obama talks with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) recipients in the East Room of the White House, April 14, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

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Early Career Commerce Scientists and Engineers honored by White House

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellencePresidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)

The Commerce Department is home to some of the world’s leading scientists and engineers that are tackling some of the biggest challenges facing our planet and doing great...

Mar102014

Department of Commerce releases FY 2014-2018 Strategic Plan

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Department of Commerce releases FY 2014-2018 Strategic Plan

InnovationTrade and InvestmentDataAbout the U.S. Department of CommerceEnvironmentOperational ExcellenceOpen for Business AgendaStrategic Plan

Today the Department of Commerce released its Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2014 to 2018. The five-year plan, along with the recently released FY15 budget, provides the...

Feb242014

Spotlight on Commerce: Joyce Ward, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

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Spotlight on Commerce: Joyce Ward, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Operational ExcellenceSpotlight on CommerceJoyce WardEducation

I have the honor of serving as the Director of the Office of Education and Outreach at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). I am fortunate to work with a...

Jan292014

Commerce Department Recognizes Outstanding Employees at 65th Annual Honor Awards

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Commerce Department Recognizes Outstanding Employees at 65th Annual Honor Awards

Operational ExcellenceEconomic Security

Today U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Dr. Pat Gallagher, in his duties as Deputy Secretary, recognized 351 Commerce employees for receiving Honor Awards, the...

Sep262013

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker on NIST’s 2013 MacArthur Fellowship Recipient

About the U.S. Department of CommerceOperational ExcellenceAna Maria Rey

Secretary Pritzker today issued a statement congratulating Ana Maria Rey for being named a winner of the 2013 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation of Chicago...

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