Jon will speak about how FIRST and Maker share the same spirit- he will share team stories about the importance of collaboration, how FIRST helps kids find their passion for STEM and gives them an opportunity to pursue their passion as a career.

Website Video

Jon Dudas

President - FIRST

Jon’s notable 14 years of service with the U.S. Government culminated with his role as Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) from 2004 to 2009. As the head of the USPTO, Dudas led a performance-based government agency with 9,000 employees and a $2 billion annual budget. During his tenure, the USPTO achieved a four-fold increase in meeting key annual objectives. He also personally spearheaded an unprecedented number of patent cooperation and development missions with China, India, Europe, Brazil, and several other countries to improve IP systems globally and help inventors establish and enforce IP rights throughout the world. Dudas most recently was a partner with the law firm Foley & Lardner LLC, specializing in intellectual property strategy and policy. Prior to his Under Secretary role, Jon held several senior staff positions for the House of Representatives. He started his career in private legal practice in Chicago. He received his law degree, with honors, from the University of Chicago and a bachelor''s degree in finance, summa cum laude, from the University of Illinois. Dudas and his wife, Nicole, have four children ranging from 7 to 16 years old and reside in Bedford, New Hampshire.