Special Guests - World Famous Zhou Brothers
Mr. ShanZuo Zhou and Mr. DaHuang Zhou (the Zhou Brothers) are well-known international artists and businessmen. The Zhou Brothers are both internationally known artists and entrepreneurs born in Nanning China, now headquartered in Chicago. The Zhou Brothers widely considered as one of the most accomplished contemporary artists in the world today are renowned for their unique collaborative work. Presently they are developing the Nanning Zhou Brothers International Art Valley in Nanning China.
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO
Teresa Stanek Rea is Acting Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. In this role since February 2013, she advises President Obama, the Secretary of Commerce, and the administration on intellectual property matters.
Ms. Rea directs an office that provides incentives to encourage technological advancement and helps businesses protect their investments, promote their goods and services, and safeguard against deception in the marketplace.
Ms. Rea joined the USPTO in 2011 as Deputy Director. She is a leading attorney in the field of intellectual property with more than 25 years of legal experience and a past president of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). Before joining the USPTO, Ms. Rea was a partner in Crowell & Moring LLP’s Washington, D.C., office where she focused on intellectual property and dispute resolution related to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other life science issues. Ms. Rea has experience in drafting infringement and validity opinions, as well as experience in interference and licensing matters.
CRAIG ALLEN Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration
Craig Allen has worked for the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration since 1985. He entered government as a Presidential Management Intern and, in this capacity, rotated through the four branches of the ITA. From 1986 to 1988, he worked as an International Economist in the ITA China Office.
n 2002, Craig and his family moved to Beijing for a three year tour as the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Mission to China. In this position, Craig managed the entire complement of 126 DOC staff in China from multiple DOC agencies. In Beijing, Craig was promoted to the Minister Counselor rank of the Senior Foreign Service.
Craig received a B.A. from the University of Michigan in Political Science and Asian Studies in 1979. He received a Masters of Science for the Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1985. While at Georgetown, Craig worked for the U.S. Congress on issues associated with technology transfer to China.
In total, Craig has lived in Asia for 27 years, including 16 years in Japan and approximately 11 years in China or Taiwan. His most recent language scores were 3+/4 in Japanese and 4/4 in Mandarin Chinese.
Sean T. Connaughton is Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Virginia
Serving in the cabinet of Governor Bob McDonnell. As Secretary, he oversees seven state agencies with more than 9,700 employees and combined annual budgets of $5 billion.
Connaughton was named U.S. Maritime Administrator by President George W. Bush in 2006. As Maritime Administrator, he was head of the Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, and responsible for the daily management of that agency and its promotional programs for the marine transportation industry. This included advising and assisting the Secretary of Transportation on commercial maritime matters, operation of over 50 ships in the Ready Reserve Force, supervision of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, oversight of the six State Maritime Academies, and administration of various shipyard and cargo programs. Connaughton was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.