On Tuesday, February 20, the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP) and the University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) hosted Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), along with local entrepreneurs, inventors, venture capitalists, and intellectual property (IP) experts, for a roundtable discussion on the role of IP in supporting East Texas’ economic growth.
Congressman Moran led two panel discussions highlighting the role of Congress in protecting IP rights, as well as detailing the elements of an innovation ecosystem and the strong link between IP and innovation throughout East Texas and the University of Texas at Tyler.
Robust IP rights enable technology development and entrepreneurship throughout Texas, which boasts the eighth-largest economy in the world. The Lone Star State’s economic boom is reliant on the IP-intensive industries, which create the foundation for a thriving economy — employing over one-third of private sector jobs across the state.
Check out our press release on the event, as well as additional photos, courtesy of UT Tyler, below!
Robust intellectual property enables innovation that is critical to growing our economy.#ProtectIP https://t.co/CqAU5MvVSC
— Congressman Nathaniel Moran (@RepNateMoran) February 22, 2024
Distinguished Guests and Panelists
Congressman Nathaniel Moran
- Member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas’ 1st district
- Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
- Former Member of the Tyler, TX City Council (2005-2009)
Andrei Iancu
- Co-Chair of the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP)
- Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell
- Former Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (2018-2021)
Brandon Reynolds
- Director of the ETX Launchpad at UT Tyler
- Assists technology entrepreneurs and innovators in commercializing their ideas and growing the local economy
- Worked on various projects related to intellectual property, research, web development, marketing, and compliance
Scott Martinez
- President and CEO of Tyler Economic Development Council
- CEO of Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce
- Earned the Certified Economic Developer designation from the International Economic Development Council
Phil Burks
- Founder and CEO of The Genesis Group
- Founder and Board Chair for Phirst Technologies, LLC
- Author at Phirst Phenomenal Phavorites
Andy Stinson
- Shareholder at Ramey & Flock, P.C. in Tyler, TX
- Practiced law for over two decades
- Routinely represents clients in patent and trademark-related litigation, along with other IP matters
Wayne Mansfield
- President and CEO of the Longview Economic Development Corporation
- Former Executive Director of the Vicksburg Warren County Port Commission
- Former Director of Planning and Community Development for Vicksburg, Mississippi
Jay Davis
- Executive Director of Financial and Entrepreneurship Engagement at Texas A&M-Texarkana
- Ward 6 Councilmember for Texarkana, Texas
- Over a decade of experience in financial services
Frank Cullen
- Executive Director of the Council for Innovation Promotion (C4IP)
- Former Vice President of U.S. Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Former Vice President of FCA Company