Ed. note: 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.

Guest blog post by Valencia Martin-Wallace, Deputy Commissioner for Patent Quality at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

As the Deputy Commissioner for Patent Quality at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), I lead the Organization’s Enhanced Patent Quality Initiatives and manage the quality divisions which include the Office of Process Improvement, the Office of Patent Training, the Office of Patent Quality Assurance and the Office of Stakeholder Outreach and Patents Ombudsman. I am responsible for sustaining the high quality of the USPTO’s patent examination processes and products by implementing and maintaining a comprehensive quality management system.    

I was born and raised in New Orleans, LA, a city rich in southern charm and serving as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. My parents taught my sister and me that an education was the key to finding the life and career that we desire. I was also encouraged to explore and enjoy math and the sciences and taught to use my talents to help create a better world for myself and everyone around me.

I studied electrical engineering at Howard University, where I learned alongside a wonderful group of students from diverse backgrounds. After flexing my engineering muscle for three years, I decided to pursue intellectual property law at The George Washington University School of Law. I began my career at the USPTO as a patent examiner at about the same time. Beginning both a new job and law school at the same time was very challenging. However, I would not have done it any other way. Pursuing both at the same time further taught me discipline and heightened my organizational skills, which has served me well throughout my career.

I am honored to be a part of the USPTO and Department of Commerce family during this exciting and ground breaking period in the history of intellectual property. I feel privileged to be a federal servant and to go to work every day with such a talented community of public servants who are committed to advancing innovation and helping our nation’s economy grow. As an executive in the USPTO community I have overseen the implementation of the America Invents Act First-Inventor-to-File statutory framework. A pivotal advancement in the United States intellectual property harmonization with the rest of the world. With a great team to work with it has been a rewarding experience.

Whenever I meet with young African Americans and others I encourage them to challenge their minds through the fields of sciences, technology, engineering and math. I know they would find the same excitement and fulfillment in these fields that I have always found. When first embarking on their careers, I always encourage them to work hard, take pride in a job well done and never limit themselves. This will help them find their true career passion and open up a universe of possibilities.

During Black History Month, I celebrate the accomplishments of the generations of African American engineers and scientists that have come before me and enthusiastically support the contributions of the multitude of African Americans that will positively change this world after me. I am proud to be part of the community of African Americans who have played a vital role in advancing our great country.