Patent offices gets new deputy director

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is getting a new deputy director after Michelle Lee was confirmed as director earlier this month. 

Russell Slifer will take over Lee’s old position as deputy director and deputy undersecretary of Commerce for intellectual property.

Slifer formerly led the Patent Office’s location in Denver, Colo., one of four satellite office around the country. He takes over the new position Wednesday. 

“His leadership will be instrumental in the USPTO’s efforts to foster economic growth and promote American innovation by reducing the patent application backlog and enhancing patent and trademark quality,” said Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, who appointed him. 

He previously worked as head patent lawyer for Micron Technology and was an engineer for Honeywell. 

—Updated 10:08 a.m.