Deborah Stephens Named Permanent Chief Information Officer at USPTO

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has officially appointed Deborah Stephens as its permanent Chief Information Officer (CIO). Stephens, who has served the agency for more than 25 years, previously held the role of Acting CIO and has held multiple leadership positions within the USPTO.

As CIO, Stephens will act as the principal advisor on the design, development, and management of the agency’s information systems and technology infrastructure. Her leadership is expected to further the USPTO’s mission to deliver efficient and modern digital services to its global customers around the clock.

Stephens is an award-winning executive and visionary in the field of technology management. Prior to her CIO appointment, she served as the Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Patent Information Management, where she led IT modernization efforts for the agency’s patent systems. She also held the position of Deputy Commissioner for Patents.

Under her stewardship, the USPTO has achieved significant milestones in IT transformation. These include transitioning to a new operating model that organizes IT work around business products rather than discrete projects, streamlining delivery processes across the agency.

Stephens has overseen the retirement of decades-old technology platforms in both the Patents and Trademarks offices, paving the way for modernized digital services that enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

A key focus of her tenure has been the rollout of new artificial intelligence (AI) tools across the USPTO. She has driven agency-wide adoption of AI technologies, supported scaling of AI workforce training, and integrated AI capabilities across multiple business units.

Beyond her technical leadership, Stephens is recognized as a national advocate for women in technology. She has been a featured speaker at technology conferences across the United States, sharing insights on leadership and innovation.

In 2023, she received the Roger W. Jones Award for Executive Leadership from the School of Public Affairs at American University, recognizing her exemplary public service and leadership.

Stephens also dedicates time to community service, having volunteered with the Girl Scouts of the USA for 18 years.

The USPTO encourages stakeholders and the public to stay informed about agency developments by subscribing to its email updates via the USPTO subscription center.

For further information or inquiries, the USPTO directs individuals to its official website contact page, noting that the announcement email originates from an unmonitored mailbox.