Detroit Saturday Seminar Speakers
Main | Agenda | Speakers | Lunch
Susan Anthony
Susan Anthony
Attorney, Office of Policy and External Affairs
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Susan Anthony is an attorney in the USPTO’s Office of Policy and External Affairs in Alexandria, Va. Susan handles policy matters relating to trademarks, domain names, and copyright issues within the U.S. and internationally and has a broad range of experience and expertise in almost all facets of intellectual property. She is a member of the USPTO China Team and the USPTO Africa Team.
Susan is a strong and very enthusiastic proponent of helping small businesses to understand how intellectual property can be used to promote economic growth. She is actively involved in the USPTO’s educational outreach efforts for small- and medium-sized businesses, including the USPTO “IP Basics” programs and the USPTO China Road Shows, as well as the USPTO’s educational outreach initiative for Native American communities.
Prior to joining the USPTO in November 2003, Susan co-managed the Copyrights and Trademarks Team of international communications company MCI. She also had primary responsibility for policy issues involving intellectual property on the Internet. She began her career in trademarks and copyright in the litigation arena, as a member of the trial team representing a well-known pet foods manufacturer in a landmark false advertising case. She later expanded her career in private practice to include trademark and copyright counseling.
Susan is a serious student of the American Civil War, focusing on women and domestic culture, and she frequently lectures to groups of fellow Civil War historians about copyright issues in research, writing, and speaking. She also focuses on copyright issues for teachers. Susan is a graduate of The George Washington University National Law Center in Washington, D.C., and a long-time resident of Arlington, Va.
John J. Calvert
Mr. John J. Calvert
Acting Associate Commissioner
Office of Innovation Development
United States Patent and Trademark Office
John Calvert is responsibility as the Acting Associate Commissioner for Innovation Development includes developing ways to increase the USPTO presence in the independent inventor, small business, and entrepreneurial communities; increasing opportunities for new patent holders to access assistance beyond the patent system; and direct responsibility for pro bono and independent inventor initiatives and the small business Ombudsman program prescribed in the America Invents Act.
John was Senior Advisor for the Office of Innovation Development and Administrator for the Inventor Assistance Program, which included inventor outreach, small business outreach, and university outreach initiatives. The USPTO made outreach and education a high priority due to the increased interest in intellectual property both by business and education. John expanded the Inventor's Assistance Program to include educational initiatives for students, inventors, and small businesses and has created inventor assistance through pro bono and pro se initiatives both inside the USPTO and through working with universities and bar organizations.
John graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Textile Technology in May 1971. He worked for 13 years in the textile industry prior to returning to N.C. State University to pursue a Master's of Science in Textile Management. In February of 1990, John joined the USPTO as an examiner specializing in textile technology. John became a primary examiner in 1995 and a supervisory patent examiner in 1998. John was responsible for supervising as many as 25 examiners in the areas of textile technology and absorbent products. He also served as Acting Director for the Office of Independent Inventor Programs. He has worked on various details and work assignments during his career at the USPTO.
John received the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal for Superior Federal Service and the United States Patent and Trademark Office Exceptional Career Award. John completed studies in the Syracuse University Maxwell School certificates program of Advanced Public Management and completed the Executive Development Seminar sponsored by the Office of Personnel Management.
Charmin Edwards
Charmin Edwards
Arnell Nolan Cosmetics
Chicago, Illinois
Charmin Edwards is an independent inventor, owner of Arnell Nolan Cosmetics, and a radio talk show host. Charmin invented Roc-Ya-Lox, a hair accessory for all hair types, after being unable to find a hair accessory to hold her braids. A major business opportunity emerged for Edwards in the late 1980s when the home shopping network QVC televised a segment showcasing her cosmetic line of waterproof lip powders. Charmin is also the host of “The Charmin Show,” a radio show airing on Friday nights from 7 to 10 p.m.
Robin O. Evans
Robin O. Evans
Regional Manager, Elijah J. McCoy Detroit Satellite Office
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Robin has been manager of the Detroit satellite office since its opening in July 2012. Her duties include the training of all new hires, the management and overall operation of the facility, and establishing outreach with local resources and organizations in the Detroit area. She is frequently called upon to make presentations to local stakeholders regarding the patent process and the services available at the Detroit satellite office
Robin graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. Joining the USPTO in September 1995 as a patent examiner in Technology Center 3752, Robin examined applications for sprinkling, spraying, and diffusing. She was promoted to the position of technology quality assurance specialist and later to supervisory patent examiner for Art Units 3742 and 3753.
Rod Kinghorn
Rod Kinghorn
Outreach Specialist
Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection Program
School of Criminal Justice
East Lansing, Michigan
Rod Kinghorn is currently partnering with Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection Program (A-CAPPP) staff to deliver anti-counterfeit training and to develop and review A-CAPPP resources that integrate an industry perspective. In 2012, Kinghorn retired from General Motors Company, where he was responsible for global security operations, employee business travel, company vehicle operations, and leading investigations of counterfeit automotive parts.
Angela Ortiz
Angela Ortiz
Supervisory Patent Examiner
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Angela Ortiz joined the USPTO as a patent examiner in 1990. After becoming a primary examiner in 1996, Angela served in career development details with various offices of the USPTO, including the Office of Human Resources, the Patent Cooperation Treaty Special Programs Office, the Office of Petitions, and the Patent Training Academy.
From 2006 to 2010, Angela worked as a supervisory patent examiner (SPE) and trainer, where she was responsible for training new examiners in the Patent Training Academy for Technology Centers 1700, 2600, 2800, and 3700. Angela is currently a SPE for Art Unit 1789, which examines patent applications for fabrics. She also serves as a resource SPE at the USPTO Detroit satellite office.
Angela received a chemistry degree from The Ohio State University in 1988.
Mark A. Robinson
Mark A. Robinson
CPA, PE, Reg. Patent Agent
Mr. Robinson is the Managing Director of KOIOS Consulting Group, LLC based in Ann Arbor, MI. His work focuses primarily on assisting companies, universities, and their counsel, with intellectual property matters including technology licensing, valuation, infringement damage analysis / expert testimony, and royalty compliance audits, as well as other intellectual property management issues.
Mr. Robinson is a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP), the co-chair of the Michigan chapter of the Licensing Executives Society, and is on the CLP Standards, Admission, and Recertification Committee. In addition, Mr. Robinson is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and the American Society of Appraisers.
Mr. Robinson received a Master of Business Administration - Finance degree from the University of Chicago, a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Michigan State University, and a Master of Science degree in Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
John Spink
John Spink, PhD,
MSU's Food Fraud Initiative
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
Dr. John Spink is the director of the Food Fraud Initiative at Michigan State University (MSU). He completed his doctorate work on anti-counterfeit strategy at MSU, and his broad research expands from food fraud to product fraud-related business risks, general anti-counterfeiting, anti-counterfeiting countermeasures, and a range of outreach activities that cover policy and trade issues. His leadership positions include product fraud-related activities with the International Standards Organization, the Global Food Safety Initiative, and the U.S. Pharmacopeia Convention’s Food Chemicals Codex. He frequently presents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and helps educate global partners.
Thomas Vargo
Thomas Vargo
Lead Business Opportunity Specialist
U.S. Small Business Administration
Detroit, Michigan
Thomas Vargo is the lead business opportunity specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Michigan District Office, where he has served since 1998. He is responsible for administration of the 8(a) Business Development Program and the HUBZone Program in the Michigan District Office. He also assists small businesses in all areas of federal procurement. Thomas also serves as the HUBZone liaison for the state of Michigan.
