Tampa, FL – May 9, 2012 –Valerie L. McDevitt has been awarded Registered Technology Transfer Practitioner (RTTP) status from the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP), the international body for professionals engaged in technology transfer. The RTTP program educates and challenges its candidates to develop their knowledge and skills, and provides international recognition as an expert in the technology transfer profession.
Ms. McDevitt was also recently appointed by Commerce Secretary Carlos A. Gutierrez to serve on the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Patent Public Advisory Committee (PPAC). PPAC is an advisory board consisting of nine members that advise the USPTO Director on management of the patent operations of the office, including policies, goals, budget, user fees, and other office operations. The committee is comprised of U.S. citizens who are selected to represent the interests of the diverse users of the USPTO. The appointed members serve for three year terms, and Ms. McDevitt was officially sworn in on February 14, 2012.
Ms. McDevitt currently serves as the Assistant Vice President of the Division of Patents and Licensing at the University South Florida, recently ranked ninth worldwide in granted patents among university and university systems. In her role as Assistant Vice President, Ms. McDevitt is responsible for developing and directing all programs, services, and activities of the Division of Patents & Licensing.