Nicolas Godici, BS ’72, has been names Special Consultant to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Department. Mr. Godici was appointed by the U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to look at ways to strengthen the management structure of the USPTO and provide an up-to-date assessment of the challenges the office faces.

Nicholas P. Godici worked at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for 33 years. He began as a patent examiner and eventually rose through the ranks to become Commissioner for Patents from 2000-2005. In that capacity, he was responsible for managing all aspects of the patent business organization. From January-December 2001, he also served as the Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Acting Director of the USPTO. He represented the United States in several international negotiations involving intellectual property issues and agreements with other countries.

Godici currently serves as an executive advisor with the intellectual property law firm Birch, Stewart, Kolasch and Birch, where he specializes in intellectual property consulting.

Godici received his bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics from Penn State University and his certificate of advanced public management from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.