As the Southwest Regional Outreach Officer, Mr. Vasquez is responsible for stakeholder engagement and outreach initiatives on behalf of the USPTO in the eight states that comprise the Southwest Region: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Before joining the USPTO, Mr. Vasquez served with the U.S. Small Business Administration as an Economic Development Specialist, Veterans Business Development Officer, and District International Trade Officer for the Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office. Mr. Vasquez served with the U.S. SBA from December 2009 to April of 2021, before than Mr. Vasquez worked for the U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) from 2006-2009 at the Port Isabel Detention Center (PIDC) assisting in the purchasing and administration of the center. Additionally, Mr. Vasquez served in the U.S. Army from 2004-2006 and continues to serve in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2006-present as a Human Resources and Dental Specialist.