Richard MaulsbyRemember when the U.S. government kept calling newly appointed people to newly created positions “czars”? As in “drug czar,” “education czar,” “environmental czar,” etc.?

Thank goodness that seems to be over.

But new appointments and creations of departments continues.

To that end we give a tip of the hat to seasoned patent office official Richard Maulsby, who has been appointed to the newly created position of Associate Commissioner for Innovation Development at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office by Commissioner for Patents Robert Stoll.

As the associate commissioner, Maulsby will spearhead the USPTO’s efforts to encourage and promote innovation as a key driver of the American economy.  He will coordinate the agency’s enhanced efforts to assist independent, small entity and university affiliated inventors.  Maulsby will also work closely with other officials throughout the government in support of the Obama Administration’s efforts to support small business and entrepreneurship that creates jobs.

USPTO Director David Kappos praised the announcement and noted that “throughout his 17 year career at the agency in the Office of Public Affairs and in the other senior government positions he has held, Richard has demonstrated a unique ability to create and implement new programs.  I am confident that he will provide the dynamic leadership needed to launch this expanded effort to encourage and promote innovation in America.”

Commissioner for Patents Stoll added, “I have admired and respected Richard’s work here at the USPTO and look forward to having him as a member of my senior management team.”

Maulsby joined the USPTO in 1994 as Director of Public Affairs.  He greatly expanded the office’s role by developing and implementing strategic communications and marketing plans that included press and media relations, stakeholder outreach, exhibits, publications, educational programs and video productions.  He has worked closely with the National Inventors Hall of Fame and was the pioneering and guiding force behind the establishment of the USPTO museum, which celebrates the history of the agency and the vital role patents and trademarks play in our society.

Prior to joining the agency, Maulsby held senior management positions in the District of Columbia government where he headed the city’s Office of Cable Television and the Office of Motion Picture and Television Development.

A Nebraska native, Maulsby holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska and received a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication from the State University of New York at Buffalo.