I am delighted to welcome Mr. Andrei Iancu to our advisory board. Andrei co-founded the Renewing American Innovation Project at the bipartisan Center for Strategic and International Studies and a Partner at Irell and Manella’s Los Angeles office. Previously, he was Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a position to which he was confirmed unanimously by the Senate. Among Andrei’s initiatives as USPTO Director was creating the National Council for Expanding American Innovation, a group of industry, academic, and government leaders tasked with helping the USPTO develop a comprehensive national strategy to broaden participation in the innovation ecosystem demographically, geographically, and economically. When he helped launched the Council last September, he noted that “America’s economic prosperity and technological leadership depend on a strong and inclusive innovation ecosystem. That is why it is so important for us to encourage participation in the patent system so that all Americans are inspired to invent, to protect their inventions, to build thriving businesses, and to succeed.” Andrei joins our terrific group of experts and leaders. We look forward to working with Andrei, who adds valuable expertise and perspective to our advisory board. As always, we appreciate the work and support of our board, especially during these challenging and changing times.
