United States Patent & Trademark Office Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

United States Patent & Trademark Office has 10 executives leading key functions including strategic oversight, administrative operations, financial management, and information technology systems.

Committed to fostering national economic growth, United States Patent & Trademark Office advances intellectual property protection by granting patents and registering trademarks to incentivize innovation across the American marketplace.

Leadership Roles at United States Patent & Trademark Office

  • Founder & Chief Executive Officer - Deborah Moore
  • Chief Financial Officer - Nawal Hammad
  • Senior Analyst and Advisor, Office of the Chief Financial Officer - Thomas Berry
  • Administrative Officer for the Chief Financial Officer - Denise Absher
  • Acting Chief Financial Officer - Steven Hopkins
  • Chief of Staff - Christopher Shipp
  • Director of Chief Information Officer Systems and Services Division - Phorsha Peel
  • Deputy Director, Business Product Delivery Office of & Chief Information Officer - Rey Jesus
  • Office Policy & International Affairs Chief of Staff - Ari Leifman
  • Dep Chief Information Officer - Wesley Gewehr
  • Deborah Moore - Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Deborah Moore, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at United States Patent & Trademark Office, directs the overarching strategic vision for intellectual property protection. Moore architects high-level policies that govern patent grants and trademark registrations, ensuring the agency fulfills the mission of promoting innovation within the U.S. Department of Commerce. By aligning organizational goals with national economic objectives, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer maintains rigorous standards for intellectual property integrity. Deborah Moore collaborates with federal stakeholders to modernize examination processes and enhance service delivery for inventors and businesses. This leadership role involves managing complex regulatory frameworks while driving efficiency across all agency divisions. Through consistent focus on operational excellence, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer secures the long-term viability of the patent system. Ultimately, Moore fosters an environment where technological advancement thrives through robust legal protections and streamlined administrative procedures.

    Nawal Hammad - Chief Financial Officer

    Nawal Hammad, the Chief Financial Officer at United States Patent & Trademark Office, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for the entire agency. Hammad oversees the allocation of resources required to support patent examination and trademark registration services. By directing financial reporting and auditing processes, the Chief Financial Officer ensures transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. Nawal Hammad collaborates with executive leadership to align fiscal strategies with the long-term goals of promoting innovation and protecting intellectual property. This leadership role involves monitoring revenue streams from application fees and optimizing operational expenditures to maintain high service standards. Through rigorous financial oversight, the Chief Financial Officer supports the agency's capacity to scale its digital infrastructure and human capital. Ultimately, Hammad secures the financial stability necessary for the agency to fulfill its mandate within the U.S. Department of Commerce.
    Nawal Hammad

    Thomas Berry - Senior Analyst and Advisor, Office of the Chief Financial Officer

    Thomas Berry, the Senior Analyst and Advisor, Office of the Chief Financial Officer at United States Patent & Trademark Office, evaluates fiscal data to inform strategic financial decision-making. Berry provides expert analysis on budgetary trends and resource utilization, supporting the agency's ability to fund patent and trademark operations. By advising the Chief Financial Officer on complex financial matters, the Senior Analyst and Advisor, Office of the Chief Financial Officer ensures that fiscal policies remain aligned with agency goals. Thomas Berry conducts detailed assessments of operational costs to identify opportunities for efficiency and cost-saving measures. This leadership role involves synthesizing financial information into actionable insights for executive review. Through meticulous data analysis, the Senior Analyst and Advisor, Office of the Chief Financial Officer strengthens the agency's financial planning capabilities. Ultimately, Berry contributes to the long-term fiscal health of the organization by providing evidence-based guidance on resource management.

    Denise Absher - Administrative Officer for the Chief Financial Officer

    Denise Absher, the Administrative Officer for the Chief Financial Officer at United States Patent & Trademark Office, manages the daily administrative functions of the financial office. Absher coordinates scheduling, documentation, and internal communications to ensure the Chief Financial Officer operates with maximum efficiency. By overseeing administrative workflows, the Administrative Officer for the Chief Financial Officer maintains the organizational structure necessary for effective financial oversight. Denise Absher facilitates the preparation of reports and briefings that support the agency's fiscal transparency and accountability. This leadership role involves managing office resources and ensuring that administrative processes comply with federal regulations. Through proactive support of the financial team, the Administrative Officer for the Chief Financial Officer enables the successful execution of budgetary strategies. Ultimately, Absher ensures that the administrative foundation of the financial office remains stable, allowing the agency to focus on its mission of protecting intellectual property.

    Steven Hopkins - Acting Chief Financial Officer

    Steven Hopkins, the Acting Chief Financial Officer at United States Patent & Trademark Office, leads the financial operations and budgetary strategy during this interim period. Hopkins directs the management of agency funds, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to support patent and trademark examination services. By overseeing financial reporting and compliance, the Acting Chief Financial Officer maintains the fiscal integrity of the organization. Steven Hopkins collaborates with executive leadership to ensure that financial decisions support the agency's mission of promoting innovation. This leadership role involves monitoring revenue and expenditure patterns to ensure the agency remains within its budgetary constraints. Through careful oversight of financial processes, the Acting Chief Financial Officer provides stability and continuity for the agency's fiscal operations. Ultimately, Hopkins ensures that the financial foundation remains strong, allowing the agency to continue its vital work within the U.S. Department of Commerce.

    Christopher Shipp - Chief of Staff

    Christopher Shipp, the Chief of Staff at United States Patent & Trademark Office, coordinates executive operations and facilitates communication across all agency departments. Shipp manages the flow of critical information to the leadership team, ensuring alignment with the core mission of protecting intellectual property. By overseeing internal workflows, the Chief of Staff optimizes the execution of strategic initiatives and administrative mandates. Christopher Shipp bridges the gap between policy development and operational implementation, maintaining focus on the agency's commitment to innovation. This role requires constant interaction with senior leadership to resolve complex organizational challenges and streamline decision-making processes. Through meticulous planning and resource allocation, the Chief of Staff supports the agency's ability to process patent and trademark applications efficiently. Ultimately, Shipp ensures that all internal functions remain synchronized with the broader goals of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

    Phorsha Peel - Director of Chief Information Officer Systems and Services Division

    Phorsha Peel, the Director of Chief Information Officer Systems and Services Division at United States Patent & Trademark Office, architects the technological infrastructure supporting patent and trademark processing. Peel manages the deployment of secure digital systems that enable examiners to review intellectual property applications with precision. By overseeing the maintenance of critical IT services, the Director of Chief Information Officer Systems and Services Division ensures high availability for internal and external stakeholders. Phorsha Peel coordinates with technical teams to integrate advanced software solutions that enhance the efficiency of the agency's core business functions. This leadership role involves mitigating cybersecurity risks and upgrading legacy systems to meet modern operational demands. Through strategic technology management, the Director of Chief Information Officer Systems and Services Division drives the digital transformation of the agency. Ultimately, Peel provides the robust technical foundation required for the agency to protect innovation effectively.

    Rey Jesus - Deputy Director, Business Product Delivery Office of & Chief Information Officer

    Rey Jesus, the Deputy Director, Business Product Delivery Office of & Chief Information Officer at United States Patent & Trademark Office, executes the delivery of digital products that streamline patent and trademark workflows. Jesus oversees the development lifecycle of business-critical applications, ensuring that software tools meet the specific needs of examiners and applicants. By managing product roadmaps, the Deputy Director, Business Product Delivery Office of & Chief Information Officer aligns technical output with the agency's mission to promote innovation. Rey Jesus collaborates with cross-functional teams to implement user-centric designs that improve the speed and accuracy of intellectual property registration. This leadership role involves balancing technical requirements with operational constraints to deliver scalable solutions. Through continuous improvement of product delivery, the Deputy Director, Business Product Delivery Office of & Chief Information Officer enhances the overall user experience. Ultimately, Jesus drives the modernization of agency services through agile product management.

    Ari Leifman - Office Policy & International Affairs Chief of Staff

    Ari Leifman, the Office Policy & International Affairs Chief of Staff at United States Patent & Trademark Office, coordinates global policy initiatives and international intellectual property cooperation. Leifman manages the administrative functions of the policy office, ensuring that international agreements align with domestic patent and trademark standards. By overseeing the flow of information between international partners and agency leadership, the Office Policy & International Affairs Chief of Staff facilitates the harmonization of global IP practices. Ari Leifman supports the development of strategic policies that protect American innovation in foreign markets. This leadership role involves organizing high-level diplomatic engagements and ensuring that policy objectives are met through effective internal coordination. Through rigorous management of international affairs, the Office Policy & International Affairs Chief of Staff strengthens the agency's global influence. Ultimately, Leifman ensures that international policy efforts remain consistent with the agency's core mission of promoting innovation.

    Wesley Gewehr - Dep Chief Information Officer

    Wesley Gewehr, the Dep Chief Information Officer at United States Patent & Trademark Office, supports the strategic direction of the agency's information technology landscape. Gewehr oversees the implementation of enterprise-wide IT initiatives that enhance the security and reliability of patent and trademark databases. By managing technical operations, the Dep Chief Information Officer ensures that the agency's digital infrastructure remains resilient against evolving cyber threats. Wesley Gewehr collaborates with the Chief Information Officer to align technology investments with the agency's long-term goals for innovation and service delivery. This leadership role involves supervising large-scale IT projects and ensuring that technical teams meet performance benchmarks. Through effective management of information systems, the Dep Chief Information Officer drives the modernization of the agency's digital capabilities. Ultimately, Gewehr provides the technical leadership necessary to maintain the integrity and accessibility of the nation's intellectual property records.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding United States Patent & Trademark Office Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads United States Patent & Trademark Office?
    United States Patent & Trademark Office is led by Deborah Moore (Founder & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Nawal Hammad (Chief Financial Officer) and Thomas Berry (Senior Analyst and Advisor, Office of the Chief Financial Officer).
    Who is part of United States Patent & Trademark Office’s executive team?
    The executive team of United States Patent & Trademark Office includes leaders such as Deborah Moore (Founder & Chief Executive Officer), Nawal Hammad (Chief Financial Officer), Thomas Berry (Senior Analyst and Advisor, Office of the Chief Financial Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does United States Patent & Trademark Office have?
    United States Patent & Trademark Office has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in United States Patent & Trademark Office’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of United States Patent & Trademark Office includes roles such as Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Senior Analyst and Advisor, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Administrative Officer for the Chief Financial Officer, Acting Chief Financial Officer.