SPEAKERS
Brand Protection Strategy Summit
Marriott at University Place | East Lansing, MI
March 12 – 14, 2024
Saleem Alhabash
Associate Director of Research, A-CAPP Center & Professor, Department of Advertising & Public Relations, MSU
Saleem Alhabash is a Professor of Public Relations and Social Media at Michigan State University’s Department of Advertising + Public Relations and the Associate Director of Research for the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection. He also co-directs the Media and Advertising Psychology (MAP) Lab. His research focuses on the processes and effects of new and social media within the context of persuasion. More specifically, his research investigates the cognitive and emotional responses, and psychological effects associated with using new and social media. His research is geared toward understanding how new communication technologies can be used as persuasive tools, most recently in relation to marketing of alcohol as well as digital aggression across the lifespan. He also studies how new and social media can facilitate cross-cultural and international communication, with emphasis on changing attitudes and stereotypes of foreign nations. In 2014, he was named the inaugural recipient of the American Academy of Advertising’s Mary Alice Shaver Promising Professor Award. His research won best article, top paper, and top poster awards at national and international conferences. Saleem received his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Pre-academia, he worked in a youth nonprofit organization focusing on media and well-being.
Bahar Aliakbarian
Professor & Senior Director of Research & Development, Axia Institute, MSU
Dr. Aliakbarian received her Ph.D. degree in Chemical, Material, and Process Engineering from the University of Genoa (Italy) in 2009. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Management, a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering – Food Sciences, and a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Genoa (Italy). From 2009 to 2017, she held positions at the University of Genoa (Italian Scientific Qualification Award and Postdoctoral Research Award; DGR 1283/2011), Harvard-MIT Health Sciences & Technology, and the University of Sydney (Endeavour Research Award; ERF PDR 2318).
Bahar’s multidisciplinary research experiences focus on the integration of innovative engineering technologies, leading to the formulation of new products with food and biomedical applications. Her work has broadened to the development of active and smart packaging for food and pharmaceutical applications.
She is particularly interested in the use of smart technologies to track and monitor food and pharmaceuticals along the supply chain. Bahar has over 75 peer-reviewed articles, four book chapters, one provisional patent, and over 45 international conference presentations.
Erika Austin
Director of Licensing, MSU
Erika Austin is the Director of Licensing at Michigan State University. She manages and grows the university’s trademark licensing portfolio. With over 20 years of experience in collegiate licensing, she has implemented programs to enhance MSU’s brand visibility and financial impact. Austin oversees relationships with licensees, retailers, and consumers, focusing on revenue and branding opportunities. She serves on various boards, including the FLA Board of Directors, and acts as the university liaison to the Worker Rights Consortium. Before MSU, she worked at Purdue University, Middle Tennessee State University, the NCAA, Indianapolis Colts, Eli Lilly and Company, and Deloitte. Austin holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Indiana University, a Masters of Sports Administration from Ohio University, and a graduate certificate in Human Resources from Purdue University Global.
Kevin Babyak
Senior Data Scientist, Global Brand Protection, Johnson & Johnson
Kevin Babyak is a Senior Data Scientist within Johnson & Johnson’s Global Brand Protection organization. In that role Kevin is responsible for global delivery of insights and analyses designed to help the Enterprise understand and address the risks and threats stemming from illicit trade. Kevin brings over 25 years of experience in the development and delivery of quantitative based analyses to clients from a wide range of vertical markets and has an extensive background in applied mathematics and statistical modeling. Kevin earned his Masters of Science in Business and Economics and completed the PhD core curriculum at Lehigh University. He holds a Bachelors of Business Administration degree from Temple University.
Josh Brooks
Senior Brand Protection Manager, Royal Canin, Mars, Inc
Joshua Brooks has accumulated 12 years of professional experience at Mars Inc., starting in sales and supply chain roles. In 2019, he transitioned into a pivotal role pioneering Brand Protection, focusing initially on the Royal Canin brand and subsequently extending support to various Mars businesses throughout North America. In 2020, Joshua successfully completed the A-CAPP program at Michigan State University, further enhancing his expertise in the field.
Residing in Denver, Colorado, Joshua shares his life with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs.
Daniel Burke
Chief, Investigative Services Division,
Office of Criminal Investigations, FDA
Special Agent Dan Burke started his federal law enforcement career with the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division in 1995 in Fargo, ND and later McAllen, TX. In 1997, he moved to the U.S. Customs Service in Denver, CO where he primarily investigated on-line child pornography, drug and financial investigations. In 2002, he was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent for U.S. Customs/Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, CA where he managed the HIDTA Financial Task Force.
Dan joined FDA-OCI in 2005 in the Kansas City Field Office and transferred to the Denver Domicile in 2008. In 2012, Dan was promoted to Senior Operations Manager for cybercrime investigations and later Senior Advisor assigned to Headquarters. In 2019, he was promoted to Chief of the Investigative Services Division with oversight over OCI’s Cybercrime, Digital Forensics and Technical Surveillance Units as well as OCI’s Training and Information Disclosure Units. Dan has also been active with OCI’s international expansion, liaison, and training initiatives. He currently serves as Chairman of the Permanent Forum on International Pharmaceutical Crime (pfipc.org).
Over his career, Dan completed several successful cybercrime investigations spanning the globe and led the development of OCI’s cyber operations. He has been part of OCl’s digital forensics cadre since 2007 and has provided a wide variety of cyber-related training to domestic and foreign law enforcement partners. Dan holds several certifications in digital forensics and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Colorado-Denver and has taught online and evening classes as part of their adjunct faculty for the last 13 years.
Owen Caine
VicePresident, Government Affairs, The Toy Association
Owen Caine has a diverse range of work experience in various industries and roles. Owen most recently serves as the Vice President of Government Affairs at The Toy Association, representing all manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and inventors of children’s toys. Before that, they founded Impromptu HH, where they played a key role in the company’s operations. Owen also worked as a Senior Policy Advisor at HillStaffer, LLC, and as a Special Assistant at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In addition, they held executive positions at the Household & Commercial Products Association and the Toy Industry Association. Owen also has experience in government affairs and legislative roles, having worked for the Consumer Specialty Products Association and the United States House of Representatives.
Owen Caine holds a Master of Public Policy degree from The George Washington University, which they obtained between 2012 and 2014. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Southern California, where they studied from 2007 to 2010. Before attending university, Owen completed their secondary education at Milton Academy from 2002 to 2006. Additionally, they have obtained a LEED AP certification from the US Green Building Council, although the specific month and year of its accomplishment are not provided.
Colin Colt
Attorney-Advisor, IP Enforcement, Office of Trade, CBP
Bio Coming.
Joseph Cox
Financial & Investigative Solutions
Joseph Cox is a licensed private investigator with the State of Tennessee and a Certified Fraud Examiner. With over 20 years of experience in finance, law enforcement, and investigations, he has had a distinguished career as a Petty Officer with the US Coast Guard and as a Detective with the Portland Police Bureau, specializing in fraud.
Jason Daniels
Brand Protection Manager, Amazon
Jason is a recognized authority in the field of brand protection and intellectual property theft investigations. His career, which began as a law enforcement officer in North Carolina, led him to combat counterfeiting as a special agent with the Department of State. Jason successfully established the first state anti-counterfeiting task force which is still operational today. He has collaborated with global law enforcement, customs agencies, and private industry professionals, focusing on curbing the production and distribution of illicit products. Jason has managed brand protection investigations for global companies, authored articles on the dangers of counterfeiting and developed curriculum for law enforcement and customs agencies worldwide. A Shaw University graduate in criminal justice, he pursued graduate studies in justice administration at the University of Louisville and holds a professional certificate in performance leadership from Cornell University. As a leader in the industry, Jason collaborates with brands to minimize the risks associated with counterfeit goods.
Staci DeRegnaucourt
Partner, Varnum LLP
Staci R. DeRegnaucourt is a Partner at Varnum LLP and a registered patent attorney celebrated for her expertise in intellectual property. As the co-chair of her firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Team, she offers a comprehensive range of services, excelling in trademark, copyright, and patent clearance, procurement, licensing, and enforcement. Staci advises clients that operate in the mechanical, electro-mechanical, and material engineering arts and has prepared and prosecuted utility patent applications in a variety of technology areas including: OEM and aftermarket automotive systems, components, and control strategies for conventional (ICE) vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug- in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV). She also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Michigan State University College of Law, passionately sharing her knowledge in international intellectual property.
Michael-Yu Ding
Vice President, Head of IP AMEA Region, ABB Group and QBPC Chair
After working in the IP Department of Huawei and building and leading an IP team for Emerson Electric in China, Michael is now working in ABB, and leading IP in Asia, Middle East and
Africa (AMEA) Region. He leads global IP strategy for Business Area -Robotics & Discrete Automation and global anti-counterfeit activities in ABB. With 23 years’ working as in-house IP professional, Michael has extensive experience and insights in management of IP, including patent, trademark and trade secret.
Michael joined QBPC leadership team as Vice Chair since 2017, and served as QBPC Chair since 2019 till now. Michael was also named by MIP as 50 most influential people in IP in 2020 and listed as a leading IP Strategist in 2023 IAM Strategy 300 rankings.
Conor Dufrain
Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office, HSI
Conor Dufrain serves as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the Detroit field office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which encompasses 720 miles of international border with Canada and numerous ports of entry across Michigan. ASAC Dufrain oversees HSI Detroit’s criminal investigations focused on counter proliferation, national security, violent crime, human trafficking, illicit trade, and labor exploitation. Prior to his current assignment, ASAC Dufrain served at HSI Headquarters, Office of International Affairs as an Operations Manager for Europe, Middle East, and Africa Operations. In this role ASAC Dufrain was responsible for oversight of HSI Attache Offices located in Rome, Paris, Madrid, London and Pretoria, South Africa. In 2013, ASAC Dufrain was selected as an Assistant Attaché for HSI London, United Kingdom where he collaborated with law enforcement partners in England, Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. In 2021, ASAC Dufrain was assigned as the Resident Agent in Charge for HSI Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan responsible for HSI operations covering over 38,000 square miles and 35 counties located in the upper peninsula and northern lower peninsula of Michigan. ASAC Dufrain began his federal law enforcement career in 2002 as a Special Agent with the U.S. Customs Service in Massena, New York, and later served as a Special Agent with HSI Rouses Point, New York. While assigned to these posts of duty ASAC Dufrain predominately conducted international narcotics trafficking and bulk cash smuggling investigations. Prior to his federal law enforcement career, beginning in 1995, ASAC Dufrain worked as a Police Officer with the New York State Park Police, Plattsburgh City Police, and the Rouses Point Village Police respectively. ASAC Dufrain is a native of Plattsburgh, New York, and is a graduate of the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a Criminology concentration. ASAC Dufrain resides in the Detroit metropolitan area.
Karen Edwards
Interim Associate Dean,
College of Hospitality, Retail, & Sports Management, University of South Carolina
Karen Edwards is a faculty member in the Department of Retailing at the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management, where she also serves as interim associate dean of academic programs. Edwards has developed numerous undergraduate and graduate-level courses, such as Law for Retailers, Fashion and the Law, and Asset Protection for Retailers. Her research involves legal issues affecting retailers, brands, and service providers, investigating topics such as counterfeit products, accessibility of retail environments, and digital marketing. Edwards serves on the Loss Prevention Foundation’s board of directors, and is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, South Carolina Women in Higher Education, American Collegiate Retailing Association, and American MENSA.
Max Faistenhammer
Manager, Brand Protection & Security, Tenneco
Max Faistenhammer manages the global brand protection program for Tenneco Inc., which is a ~18 billion dollar company and owner of 20+ automotive brands such a Champion spark plugs and Moog chassis parts. He has 10+ years of experience in brand protection and is the chairman of Motor Equipment Manufacturer Association’s Intellectual Property Counsel. In addition to brand protection, Max maintains close ties with Tenneco’s Global Security team and frequently conducts investigations into other areas of law, such as theft and fraud. To support these activities, he is a Certified Fraud Examiner and licensed PI. Prior to brand protection, Max was a police officer and MSU alumnus from the school of criminal justice.
Carrie Feeheley
Assistant Director of Education & Outreach, A-CAPP Center, MSU
Carrie Feeheley joined the Center in March 2023. A member of the State Bar of Michigan, her legal interests are in conflict resolution, specifically mediation and arbitration. Before joining the Center, she spent 15 years at the Michigan State University College of Law in various student services roles, most recently as the Assistant Dean of Admissions & International Programs. There, she focused primarily on recruitment of students for the College’s multiple degree programs, especially the Juris Doctor.
Starting with her time on study abroad in Russia as a college student, Carrie has tried to incorporate an international focus into her work throughout her career. At the College of Law, she grew the institution’s international student population substantially and helped launch the College’s first online degree program.
Prior to her time at the University, Carrie worked for a national dispute resolution services company helping grow the use of mediation and arbitration within various industries. She also managed the political action committee and did legal research for an energy company and worked for a statewide trade organization managing member services.
Carrie received her law degree from Michigan State University College of Law and her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kalamazoo College.
Annabelle Greseth
Brand Protection Analyst, Tiffany & Co.
Bio coming.
Charisma Hampton
Attorney-Advisor, Office of Policy and International Affairs, USPTO
Charisma Hampton is an attorney-advisor with the Office of Policy and International Affairs at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Within the Office of Policy and International Affairs, Ms. Hampton works on the Enforcement team and provides policy leadership, advocacy, capacity-building and technical expertise on domestic and international intellectual property enforcement matters.
Ms. Hampton assists in the promotion of effective and efficient intellectual property systems, both nationally and internationally, through consultations and the provision of technical assistance and capacity building workshops. Ms. Hampton works with foreign governments and U.S. agencies on the substantive legal and technical analysis of intellectual property rights enforcement laws, judicial regimes, civil and criminal procedures, border measures and administrative regulations relating to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Currently, her regional portfolio includes countries in the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Ms. Hampton is a graduate of Vassar College and American University’s Washington College of Law. Before joining the Office of Policy and International Affairs, Ms. Hampton was a Trademark Attorney with USPTO.
John Hatfield
Executive Director, Axia Institute, MSU
John Hatfield is the Executive Director of Michigan State University’s Axia Institute where he is responsible for leading Axia’s strategic vision and guiding its mission to deliver innovative research and value chain solutions to Axia’s members in the health care, food and agriculture, and advanced manufacturing industries. He has a strong background in business administration and innovation management.
Prior to his current position, John held the role of Director of Marketing and Communications at Axia, where he played a pivotal role in refining the institute’s offerings to industry partners and crafting its consortium-based outreach strategy. In this role, he also helped define the Institute’s marketplace and competitive positioning. Additionally, he directed sales and marketing efforts aimed at securing new corporate partners and led the development of different client forums aimed at identifying and uncovering industry-wide challenges. Before joining Axia, John worked at various organizations in the financial and professional services industries, where he honed his leadership skills in addition to his extensive expertise in marketing and brand building.
Michael Hecht
Legal Manager, Digital, eCommerce, Marketplaces, The LEGO Group
Michael is currently a legal manager and part of the digital, eCom and marketplaces team of the LEGO legal department. He has been involved in brand protection for over 15 years, specifically with the LEGO Group for the last 10. In his current role, Michael manages and coordinates the global online brand protection program, along with a small team of colleagues and multiple vendors, covering marketplaces, websites, social media, mobile app stores, fraudulent web stores, NFT marketplaces, dark web monitoring, leak mitigation and anti-piracy work.
Rowan Hilend
PhD Student, Department of Supply Chain Managment, MSU
Rowan is currently a third-year doctoral candidate funded by a National Science Foundation grant focused on the global detection and interdiction of illicit wildlife supply chains. Through her research, she strives to achieve a holistic, transdisciplinary perspective of the motivations and multifaceted impacts of deviant behavior exhibited within illicit and licit supply chains.
Her research interests include illicit supply chains, behavioral operations management, risk management, collaboration, sustainability, and organizational misconduct.
Prior to joining the PhD program at MSU, Rowan graduated from Colorado State University in 2019 with dual B.S. degrees in Supply Chain Management and Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Josh Hopping
Global Director of Investigations, Corsearch
Joshua Hopping is the Global Director of Investigations at Corsearch, with over twenty years of experience helping companies protect their intellectual property. He is a Professional Certified Investigator by ASIS International and a member of the International Trademark Association’s Indigenous Rights Committee. Furthermore, Joshua is a Cherokee Nation citizen and the author of the book “Online Brand Protection: Proven Strategies for Protecting Intellectual Property Rights in a Constantly Changing Digital Age.”
Pat Huddleston
Director, Information and Media PhD Program, Advertising and Public Relations, and A-CAPP Research Council Member, MSU
Patricia Huddleston is a professor of retailing in the Department of Advertising + Public Relations and director of the information and media PhD program at Michigan State University. She is an adjunct faculty member with the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection (ACAPP). She teaches consumer behavior, retail strategy, and strategic brand communication courses. Her current research focuses on eye-tracking to evaluate consumer information processing of point-of-purchase retail display elements (e.g., signage, price) and how these elements motivate purchase intention. This research has been funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program and Horticulture Research Institute. Her work has been published in publications such as the Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, PLOS, and the Journal of Product and Brand Management. Recently, she has collaborated with the A-CAPP Center and Drs. Saleem Alhabash and Anastasia Kononova on a 17-country study to understand global attitudes and behavior toward counterfeit products.
Kari Kammel
Director, A-CAPP Center & Adjunct Professor, College of Law, MSU
Kari is the director of the A-CAPP Center and maintains an active research agenda on legal issues pertaining to trademark counterfeiting, U.S. state and federal law, e-commerce and social media liability for trademark counterfeiting, public international and intellectual property legal issues, and the impact of culture in the Middle East on intellectual property and trademark enforcement. She has testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee based on her research. She runs the Center’s education programming, including executive education, the professional certificate in brand protection, the Center’s student internship program and student placement. She also heads outreach to brand protection stakeholders for the center.
Prior to coming to the center, she spent a significant time working, traveling, and living in the Middle East, including Egypt, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Jordan, and others. She was Deputy Chief of Party at DePaul College of Law’s Iraq office, where she managed rule of law programs; and Deputy Executive Director in the Chicago office. She is a licensed attorney in Illinois and Michigan with a J.D. from DePaul University, an M.A. in Political Science from the American University in Cairo, and a B.A. from the University of Chicago. She is serving her second three-year term on the Academic Specialist Advisory Committee at MSU, where she has been chair, vice-chair, and chair of the promotion subcommittee. She is also an adjunct professor of law at MSU’s College of Law, where she teaches Trademark Counterfeiting, Food Counterfeits, and International Intellectual Property. Additionally, she is a member of INTA and on the anti-counterfeiting sub-committee, AIPLA, and the ABA.
Sonny Kilmer
Senior Advisor & Industry Liason, IPR Center
Sonny Kilmer is the Senior Advisor and Industry Liaison at the U.S. National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, leading the U.S. government’s fight against global IP theft. His key responsibilities include fostering partnerships, coordinating consulting, and directing E-Commerce, Semiconductor, and Artificial Intelligence working groups. Sonny, with a background in diplomatic postings and leadership roles within Homeland Security, is currently collaborating with A-CAPP to address AI-related threats to intellectual property in line with the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.
Anastasia Kononova
Associate Professor, Advertising and Public Relations, and A-CAPP Research Council Member, MSU
Anastasia Kononova is an associate professor of advertising at MSU. Media multitasking is an overarching focus of Kononova’s interdisciplinary and international research that lies in the intersection of three areas: media and technology use across different cultures and social groups; psychological responses to media devices and persuasive messages; and advertising and digital literacy. Kononova’s primary research interest is related to exploring media multitasking behavior, i.e. using/being exposed to multiple media at the same time. Studying media multitasking patterns reflects idiosyncrasies and commonalities of media use across markets. Such knowledge helps enhance international communication, especially with regard to using multiple platforms to convey messages effectively. Kononova has studied media multitasking not only in a cross-cultural setting but also across the lifespan, focusing on media use behaviors of older adults.
A large body of Kononova’s media multitasking research is devoted to exploring the effects of this behavior on cognition, emotion, rationalization, and resistance to persuasion. Kononova has found that switching between online tasks and using multiple screen devices at the same time negatively affect memory for mediated content, elicit less skeptical responses to persuasive messages (e.g., health and advertising messages), and hinder rational choices (e.g., choice of healthful snacks). In a related area of research, Kononova has explored how individuals cognitively and affectively respond to advertising messages placed in congruent and incongruent online contexts.
In a recent project, Kononova focused on the use of health mobile applications (apps) and privacy concerns associated with sharing personal information via smartphones, exploring credibility judgments that individuals made of sponsored health mobile apps.
Kononova’s word appeared in highly ranked peer-reviewed journals, such as Computers in Human Behavior, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, International Journal of Communication, Journal of Health Communication, Journal of Medical Internet Research: mHealth and uHealth, and others.
Before joining the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Michigan State University, Anastasia worked as an assistant professor of communication and media at the American University of Kuwait. She earned a doctoral degree at the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism and a master’s degree at Oklahoma State University. Before graduate school, Anastasia studied in Rostov State University (Southern Federal University since 2006) in Russia, where she also worked as a corporate communication specialist.
Jason Kosofsky
IP Coordinator, NFCTA
Jason Kosofsky works for the National Cyber-Forensics Training Alliance (NCFTA) as the intellectual property coordinator. He was previously with Ford Motor Company where he served as a senior global brand protection investigator. Jason has over 21 years of experience in combating automotive counterfeiting and intellectual property violations in cases involving copyright, design patent, trademark, parallel import and trade secrets. During his career, Jason has also developed key collaborations with organizations involved in the areas of global security, cyber security, research & development, packaging engineering, office of general counsel, licensing, and has developed longstanding relationships with external law enforcement partners. Jason was a founding member of the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council or A2C2 formed in 2015, served on its board and also as its president. A2C2 is a collaboration among automakers and their partners that strives to eliminate counterfeit automotive components that could harm U.S. consumers. Jason holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan.
Summer Kostelnik
Policy Advisor, IPEC Office, Executive Office of the US President
Summer Kostelnik serves as policy advisor in the Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) in the Executive Office of the President, where she advises senior officials on matters related to all areas of intellectual property and coordinates within the United States government on the development of intellectual property policy and strategy domestically and abroad. Prior to joining IPEC, Summer was a Patent Attorney in the Office of Policy and International Affairs at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In that role, she advised the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO on domestic and international patent issues. Earlier in her career, Summer worked as a Patent Examiner in the field of medical devices.
Ms. Kostelnik holds bachelor of science degree in bioengineering and a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Tim Mackey
Associate Professor & Director of Global Health Policy Institute, University of California San Diego
Tim Mackey is an Associate Professor at the University of California, San Diego, the Director of Healthcare Research and Policy at UC San Diego – Extension, and is the Director of the Global Health Policy Institute (www.ghpolicy.org). He is also the CEO and co-Founder of the NIH-funded healthcare technology startup S-3 Research LLC. He holds a BA in Political Science-International Relations, a Masters Degree in Health Policy & Law and also earned his PhD in Global Public Health from the joint doctoral program at UC San Diego – San Diego State University. Prof. Mackey’s work has been featured in high-impact journals such as Science, JAMA, Nature Biotechnology, the Lancet, Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, Clinical Microbiology Reviews, and BMC Medicine. His research and expertise has also been featured in major news outlets such as CNN, Wired, NPR, and the Wall Street Journal. His work focuses on an array of multidisciplinary topics in global health, public policy, international relations, and technology and innovation. He also has extensive professional experience including over 10 years experience in the private sector and acting as a consultant for the World Health Organization, the US Department of State and others. His work in anti-counterfeiting and brand protection focuses on using big data, machine learning, and data visualization to detect, characterize, and report illegal online sale and trafficking of health products and other commodities.
Tonia Maestas
Deputy Executive Director & General Counsel, Attorney General Alliance
Tania Maestas is the Deputy Executive Director & General Counsel at the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG), the Attorney General Alliance (AGA), and the International Rule of Law Program, the AG Alliance Partnership. With almost two decades at the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, she served as Chief Deputy Attorney General, overseeing policy initiatives in securities, technology, privacy, civil rights, environmental, and consumer law. Tania has also been General Counsel for New Mexico’s Regulation and Licensing Department, supervising securities regulation, alcohol and gaming, financial institutions, and construction industries. She has extensive experience in government relations, criminal law, and regulatory matters, contributing to legal system strengthening initiatives in the U.S., Mexico, and other countries.
William Mansfield
Director, Intellectual Property, ABRO Industries and Vice Chair, QBPC
William Mansfield is the Director of Intellectual Property for ABRO Industries, Inc. headquartered in South Bend, Indiana. ABRO exports a wide variety of household, automotive and light industrial goods such as glues, tapes and oils from the United States under the ABRO® brand to individuals in developing nations worldwide. While virtually unknown in Western Europe and the United States, ABRO® is a major brand name in countries such as Pakistan, Nigeria and Kosovo.
As Director of Intellectual Property, Mr. Mansfield is in charge of protecting the over 2,000 trademarks ABRO has registered in over 175 countries. He has himself traveled to 58 foreign countries and handled matters in over 160. This involves coordinating the actions of attorneys, investigators, and government officials on six continents (and he is hoping for a case in Antarctica to arise one day as well).
Mr. Mansfield earned both his J.D. and M.B.A. from Indiana University. He is the Vice-Chair of the Quality Brands Protection Committee of China where he helps the group’s mission to provide support to international brands facing intellectual property issues in China. Mr. Mansfield also provides consulting services to small and medium-sized businesses facing counterfeiting and other intellectual property related difficulties through his company, Emergent IP Consulting, LLC. Finally, he is an adjunct professor of international business and business law at the University of Saint Francis.
Linda Marks
Senior Litigation Counsel, US Department of Justice
Linda Marks is a Senior Litigation Counsel at the Consumer Protection Branch (CPB) of the U.S. Department of Justice. CPB enforces criminal and civil laws that protect American’s health, safety, economic security, and identity integrity. In her almost 30 years at CPB, Linda has prosecuted criminal cases involving Internet pharmacies, counterfeit and unapproved pharmaceuticals, generic drug fraud, as well as sweepstakes fraud and odometer tampering. She has spoken at U.S. and international conferences on various aspects of pharmaceutical crime, including Internet pharmacies, counterfeit drugs, and money laundering. Prior to joining CPB, Linda spent five years as an Assistant United States Attorney in Washington, D.C., and nine years as an attorney with the Office of General Counsel for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
Morgan McPherson
Attorney-Advisor, IP Enforcement, Office of Trade, CBP
Morgan McPherson serves as an Attorney-Advisor in the Intellectual Property Enforcement Branch within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade. Her primary duties include providing legal guidance to all three hundred and twenty-eight Ports of Entry regarding whether imported merchandise can be seized for infringing an intellectual property right, adjudicating administrative petitions for relief from seizure, administering CBP’s e-Recordation program, and providing capacity building trainings to CBP personnel, partner government agencies, foreign trading partners, and the trade community. Prior to her assignment to the IPE Branch, Morgan worked in the Cargo Security, Carriers & Restricted Merchandise Branch where she issued advance rulings on the admissibility of merchandise subject to regulation under U.S. law. Morgan received a BS in Business & Enterprise Management from Wake Forest University as well as a J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law.
She is admitted to the North Carolina Bar and the D.C. Bar.
Nancy Merritt
Senior Director, Platform Partnerships and Enforcement, Tracer
Nancy has been in the online brand protection and anti-counterfeiting industry for more than 13 years, partnering with service providers, online platforms, law enforcement agencies, and a wide range of industry leading companies in building out a comprehensive and collaborative ecosystem within the brand protection industry. In her current role as the Senior Director of Platform Partnerships and Enforcements, she is responsible for all external platform and industry engagement and ensuring a high standard of enforcement and compliance for our customers. In her previous role at Wish.com, Nancy was responsible for overseeing a team of Brand Protection leaders who were responsible for supporting Wish’s policies against Intellectual Property violations.
Connor Mitchell
Associate Packaging Engineer, Gilead Sciences
Connor Mitchell is an Associate Packaging Engineer with Gilead Sciences, a research-based pharmaceutical company specializing in viruses, cancer and inflammatory conditions with 17,000 employees worldwide. His work focuses on commercial packaging; including product launches and updates, shipping qualifications, and stability testing. He also researches new anti-counterfeiting features and performs packaging assessments on suspect products.
Connor completed his Bachelor of Science in Packaging from Michigan State University in the fall of 2022. While in school he completed internships with Gilead, Packaging Compliance Labs in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and A-CAPP. Connor is currently pursuing his Master of Science degree in Packaging through Michigan State, and in his free time enjoys exploring new areas of California.
Anna Molnar
Intelligence Analyst, NCFTA
Anna graduated from Michigan State in May 2023 with a BA in Criminal Justice. She worked for the A-CAPP center during her time at MSU, where she presented at a policy hackathon, conducted e-commerce enforcement of trademarks, and researched counterfeiting policies within the country of Colombia. Some of her other work at MSU involved evaluating Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) in the state of Florida. Anna now works for the NCFTA as an intelligence analyst in their brand and consumer protection division. Her work primarily focuses on pharmaceuticals and automotive parts.
Javier Morales
President, Competitive Consulting Group
Javier Morales holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, as well as a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology. He is the President of the Competitive Consulting Group (CCG), a company primarily focused on consulting and auditing of compliance and ethics programs. With over twenty-five years of experience, Dr. Morales specializes in the prevention, management, and detection of deviant or unethical behavior in both public and private organizations. This includes addressing issues such as corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
Dana Nessel
Michigan Attorney General
A former criminal prosecutor and civil rights attorney, Dana Nessel was sworn in as Michigan’s 54th Attorney General on January 1, 2019. Her core initiatives have been fashioned in the image of her promise to Michigan’s residents — to give the Department of Attorney General back to the people that it serves. Attorney General Nessel’s consumer protection divisions have taken a lead role in fighting against companies that try to take advantage of Michigan consumers, whether it be through unfair utility rate increases or unscrupulous business practices. She launched the Department’s Auto Insurance Fraud Unit to investigate and prosecute individuals and businesses that exploit Michigan residents and the system designed to protect the safety of Michigan’s drivers. And, she established the office’s first Payroll Fraud Enforcement Unit to crackdown on individuals and businesses who try to cheat Michigan’s workers out of their pay and retirement benefits.
Since taking office, Attorney General Nessel has been a champion of the state’s most important resource – its Great Lakes. Her environmental protection division is actively fighting to ensure clean air, water and energy for Michigan’s residents so that our most valuable assets are preserved for generations to come. She has also joined the battle to combat the largest public health crisis in the nation – prescription drug addiction — and to stem the tide of Michigan’s biggest environmental crisis in decades – PFAS contamination.
As the State’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer, Attorney General Nessel launched Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force, in partnership with the Michigan Supreme Court, to stop the rise of crimes against one of the state’s most vulnerable populations. She has continued the Department’s criminal investigations into the Flint Water Crisis and sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. And, she has created a Conviction Integrity Unit to investigate claims of innocence so that even when we prosecute the state’s most heinous crimes, we can ensure the public’s trust in our criminal justice system.
A graduate of the University of Michigan and Wayne State University Law School, Attorney General Nessel lives in southeast Michigan with her wife, Alanna Maguire, and her twin sons, Alex and Zach.
Tom Nichols
Global Brand Protection Specialist, GM
Thomas Nichols is a career security professional with experience in both the public and corporate sector. In his career, Thomas has collaborated with the CIA, NSA and FBI and served as a counterterrorism analyst in support of intelligence operations, defense programs and national security efforts. In the corporate space, he has experience as a professional security leader and brand protection specialist for a major automobile manufacturer. Thomas is a member of the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council, and the representative for A2C2 on the MSU Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection’s Brand Protection Council on Global Impact, allowing him to engage with academic and automotive OEM manufacturing colleagues to prevent counterfeiting and spread public awareness of its dangers. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Management from The Catholic University of America.
Kasey Patrick
Intelligence Analyst, NFCTA
Kasey graduated from Michigan State University in December 2022 with a BA in English, and an additional major in Psychology. While at Michigan State University, Kasey worked at the A-CAPP center, where she published an article regarding the generational shift in counterfeit consumption in The Brand Protection Professional, led a group in the Bring Down Counterfeiting 2022 Policy Hackathon, and was the Fall ’22 Matthew Ronald Maher Scholarship Recipient. Kasey now works for The National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance (NCFTA) as an intelligence analyst. Her primary focus is on transnational illicit tobacco trade.
Aundrea Payne
Brand Protection Manager, Corsearch
Aundrea serves as a Brand Protection Partner for the Fashion and Luxury Apparel vertical at Corsearch. She is responsible for delivering anti-counterfeiting, trademark, and online brand protection solutions tailored to her clients’ needs. She welcomes opportunities to provide creative solutions that highlight the evolution of brand protection and new industry trends. Developing innovative strategies with her team on behalf of a brand is one of the highlights of her job.
Her passion for the industry is fueled by the ever-changing nature of brand protection, her proactive partnerships with her incredible clients, and her supportive team that works relentlessly to deliver client-focused solutions. She has 8 years of experience in intellectual property matters and trademark solutions.
She is part of several professional organizations, including ForbesBLK Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, and Toastmasters. Aundrea won the title of District 25 International Speaking Champion for 2023 and was named an International Semifinalist. She was also featured in Fenty Beauty’s 2021 “You Did That” marketing campaign.
In her spare time, she works with entrepreneurs and aspiring brands on strategy, marketing, and brand imaging and enjoys everything related to fitness. She received her bachelor’s in political science from Baylor University and is a current MBA candidate at Oklahoma State University.
Ellary Petchauer
Section Chief, Commercial Fraud Unit, IPR Center
Ellary Petchauer is currently the Section Chief of the Commercial Fraud Unit at the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center) in Arlington, VA. In this position, she coordinates Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) investigative efforts, national programs, and operations related to crimes involving individuals and entities who attempt to defraud or evade U.S. trade laws and trade agreements. She collaborates with the IPR Center’s public and private sector partners to uncover and disrupt schemes that may harm the U.S. economy and domestic industry. Ms. Petchauer’s twenty-two years in law enforcement include positions with HSI in Phoenix, AZ, HSI’s Office of Professional Responsibility, HSI’s Office of International Operations, as well as HSI in Chicago, IL, where she supervised intellectual property rights and commercial fraud investigations. Ms. Petchauer holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Tamara Rabenold
CEO, Vaudra
With nearly two decades of investigative experience, Tamara Rabenold is a highly respected figure in the intellectual property industry and the CEO of Vaudra International. Her journey began in marketing, leading her to join Vaudra in 2004, sparking her career as a professional investigator. She advanced to become CEO by 2015, eventually acquiring the company in 2021. With a corporate focus on IP and exceptional service, Vaudra has proudly served brands, rights owners, and law firms with investigations and related brand protection solutions for over 20 years. Appointed by Governor Roy Cooper in 2019, she serves on the North Carolina Private Protective Services Board (NCPPSB), the state’s regulatory board for the investigative and security profession. Furthermore, she made history in August 2023 by being elected as the first female Chair in the board’s 50-year existence.
Todd Reves
Director, Building Respect for IP Division, WIPO
Todd Reves is the Director of the Building Respect for IP Division at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), where he oversees policy dialogue in the WIPO Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE) and WIPO’s strategic and technical assistance in the field of IP enforcement. Before joining WIPO in 2022, Todd served as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Under Secretary for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, where he advised senior leaders on a variety of international policy issues. He has also worked in the USPTO’s Office of Policy and International Affairs (OPIA); the White House (IPEC); two stints as an IP Attaché in Geneva, Switzerland and Mexico City, Mexico; and served as a Senior Attorney with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Arun Reddy
Senior Manager, Software Development, Amazon
Arun is a Senior Manager of Software Development focused on Brand Protection at Amazon. He joined Amazon in 2017, and has since been developing proactive software controls to ensure intellectual property is protected on the Amazon catalog and customers enjoy a trustworthy shopping experience. The systems continuously analyze hundreds of millions of product listings every day for potential signs of intellectual property infringement utilizing advanced machine learning models to inspect text and images and taking enforcement actions where appropriate. Arun has a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering and 18 years of industry experience developing complex software systems and guiding product strategy for various multinationals in North America, Europe and Australia.
Adrienne Rose
Assistant Deputy Chief, Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, US DOJ
Adrienne Rose is an Assistant Deputy Chief in the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) of the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division. In this role, Rose oversees criminal intellectual property prosecutions and policy matters; investigates and prosecutes cases involving attacks on computers and intellectual property violations; advises prosecutors and law enforcement officers on electronic evidence and technology issues; collaborates on legislation and policy in these areas; and supports training and capacity building efforts related to criminal intellectual property rights infringement, cybercrime, and electronic evidence. From 2013 to 2019, Rose served as an Acting Assistant Deputy Chief and Trial Attorney with the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS) of the U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division. In that capacity, Rose managed complex narcotics investigations and prosecutions, using sophisticated techniques that targeted transnational criminal organizations based in Mexico, Central and South America, and China, and she helped develop policy to respond to the opioid epidemic. Before law school, from 2004 to 2008, Rose served as a legislative assistant for Congressman Adam Schiff, assisting the congressman on judiciary legislation.
Rose holds a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.A. from Barnard College. After law school, Rose clerked for federal judges in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Jennifer Scoggins Hanks
Senior VP, AAFA
As the chief advocate and spokesperson for AAFA on intellectual property (IP) and brand protection issues, Jennifer Scoggins Hanks serves as the staff liaison to AAFA’s Brand Protection Council. She connects with government officials; members of Congress; and representatives of global e-commerce, social, and digital platforms to shape IP policy, protect U.S. branded products, and advance AAFA member online and offline priorities.Jennifer’s unique background of public policy, advocacy, coalition management, and strategic communications experience was earned serving across a series of bicoastal public and private sector positions, including with a Washington D.C. public affairs firm, CNN Worldwide, the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Department of Commerce. Her career began working in the California State Legislature and the California Governor’s Office.
Daniel Shapiro
Senior VP, Brand Relationships & Strategic Partnerships, Red Points
After working at Macy’s and eBay, Daniel joined Red Points to lead the company’s strategic partnership with eCommerce platforms, websites, intellectual property firms, and other stakeholders. Daniel was a Senior Manager of Brand Protection at eBay for almost 8 years, where he led international teams in the disruption of counterfeits worldwide.
Ken Sickles
Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer, Digimarc
Ken Sickles is Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Digimarc. Ken is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting Digimarc’s world-class global technology platform that advances the reach and effectiveness of automatic identification of media across multiple industries. Ken has built his expertise with products, technology and marketing over the twenty-five years building software-as-a-service (SaaS) products in both the B2B and B2C space. He has helped define, build, and bring multi-sided platforms to market from the ground up, as well as extend platforms currently in the market. He has a passion for using his experience to enable technology to make our world a better place. Ken joined Digimarc from ThinkTank, where he was Chief Technology Officer/Chief Product Officer from 2017 through 2021 and was a key contributor in the acquisition of the company by Accenture in May 2021. His previous experience includes product leadership positions for companies like 1WorldSync (then a GS1 subsidiary), Dow Jones, and Cognos.
Tara Steketee
Chair, Anti Counterfeiting Committee, INTA
Bio coming.
Sandy Strick
Associate Professor, School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, University of South Carolina
Sandy Strick, with over 30 years at the University of South Carolina’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, specializes in beverage management, particularly in introduction to wine and spirits, advanced wine, and wine, beverage, and culture courses. Founder and Director of the Wine and Beverage Institute at Carolina, Sandy offers evening classes to the local Columbia community. She co-led education abroad courses with a significant wine component and holds certifications, including Specialist of Wine from the Society of Wine Educators, Level 1 Master Sommelier, and Level 2 from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust.
Anjana Susarla
Omura-Saxena Professor, Responsible AI, Accounting and Information Systems, MSU
Anjana Susarla holds the Omura-Saxena Professorship in Responsible AI at the Broad College of Business. She earned an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai; a graduate degree in Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta; and Ph.D. in Information Systems from the University of Texas at Austin. Her research interests include the economics of information systems, social media analytics and the economics of artificial intelligence. Her work has appeared in several academic journals and peer-reviewed conferences such as Academy of Management Conference, Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining, Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (Neurips), Decision Sciences Institute, Information Systems Research, INFORMS, International Conference in Information Systems, International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR), Journal of Management Information Systems, Marketing Science Institute, Management Science, MIS Quarterly and Production and Operations Management Society (POMS). She has served on and serves on the editorial boards of Information Systems Research and MIS Quarterly.
Zach Toczynski
Senior Director, Global Brand Protection, Levi Strauss & Co. and A-CAPP Advisory Board Member
Bio coming.
Pilar Toro
Brand Protection Manager, Tiffany & Co. & A-CAPP Industry Advisory Board Member
Pilar Toro oversees the Brand Protection program for the Americas at Tiffany & Co. With over 20 years of experience in brand protection, Pilar has worked with some of the most notorious brands in the luxury, fashion and digital entertainment. She firmly believes that every decision made within a company could have a positive or negative effect to the value of a brand, and that’s why, brand protection should not only reactively focus on the counterfeiting problems, but proactively be part of the governance under which the company operates. She has made it a priority to understand and assess the repercussions that internal policies and procedures have in the overall success of the business, and why the brand protection strategy should always align with that of the business. Pilar also believes that companies should make the same efforts to educate employees of the company, as those made to educate law enforcement. Originally from Colombia, she settled in New York after finishing her LL.M at Cardozo School of Law, and lives with her husband, her soccer player son and her two grumpy old dogs.
Theresa Turner
Deputy District Attorney,
Mulnomah County
Thresea Turner is a Deputy District Attorney with extensive experience in handling cases at the intersection of property and drug crimes. She is known for her dependable leadership skills, particularly in mentoring and training new attorneys. Thresea has shown strong leadership by forging innovative partnerships to address emerging challenges within the community. As a dedicated member of the Intellectual Property Crime Enforcement Task Force (IPCE TF) in Oregon, she focuses on investigating and enforcing IP crimes to safeguard public health, safety, and economic welfare by disrupting the circulation of counterfeit products.
Cheryl Waddell
Cheryl Waddell, Detective, Oregon IP Task Force, Portland Police Department
Detective Cheryl Waddell has over 24 years of experience as a law enforcement officer. As a Certified Fraud Examiner, she has combined her investigative and interpersonal skills to create marked changes and outstanding contributions to her local community with notable expertise in investigating financial crimes.
Waddell is a decorated veteran of the Portland Police Bureau and started her law enforcement career as a police officer in 1999. During her time on the force, she has honed her skills in a variety of roles. After walking a beat for five years, Waddell was promoted to Detective.
After working a variety of Detective units, she transferred to the Financial Crimes Unit, Waddell began to hone her expertise in investigating financial crimes. With over a decade of experience investigating financial crimes, Waddell has established herself as an insightful contributor to combating financial criminal activity.
While she continues to be a part of the Portland Financial Crimes unit, she also contributes at the state level as the Founding Member and Program Manager of the Oregon Intellectual Property Crime Task Force (IPCTF). Waddell also protects national interests as a Detective and Cross-Designated U.S. Customs Task Force Officer where she utilizes specialized knowledge as a Certified Fraud Examiner.
As the Program Manager of the IPCTF, Waddell coordinates the Task Force MOU partnership with numerous strategic partners like the United States Attorney’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the FBI.
Waddell’s nuanced approach to police work and passion for helping people has resulted in continuing professional excellence that has been recognized numerous times. Waddell has received multiple commendations throughout her career, including a Life Saving Medal, Community Justice Appreciation Award, as well as multiple Achievement Medals, Unit Commendations, and Letters of Commendation. Waddell was most recently recognized with the Law Enforcement and Agency Partner Award (LEAP) for her exemplary service and partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Detective Waddell’s approachable manner and in-depth experience with financial crimes has made her a sought-out speaker in the financial crimes circuit. She is a frequent speaker at the Oregon Financial Crimes & Digital Evidence Conference on topics of Ethics in Fraud Investigations and Fraud Investigations & Multi-Agency Intelligence Gathering. In 2023 she presented at the IACC about Emerging Trends in Trademark Counterfeit Enforcement, the 34th Annual ACFE Global Fraud Conference, “Preparing Your Case for Prosecution”. This year Detective Waddell will be a presenter at Michigan State University’s A-CAPP Summit and the NCFTA’s “DISTRUPTION” conference.
Brian Wassom
Partner, Warner, Norcross & Judd
Brian Wassom litigates disputes and counsels clients in a wide range of commercial and intellectual property matters. He has developed a particular focus in matters of creative expression, branding, and First Amendment issues, and has litigated trademark and trade dress cases for global brands such as Mattel, Starbucks, and In-N-Out Burger, among many others. A futurist at heart, he has been recognized as a thought leader in the brand-new legal issues raised by augmented reality, AI, and other cutting-edge digital media and technologies.
Kevin Weaver
Senior Director of Brand Protection Technology & Innovation, Johnson & Johnson & A-CAPP Industry Advisory Board Member
Kevin Weaver is the senior director of brand protection technology and innovation at Johnson & Johnson. For the past 10 plus years, he has been responsible for developing and deploying innovative solutions that combat the risks of illicit trade (e.g. counterfeits, illicit diversion and tampering) for the Johnson & Johnson family of companies across the pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer segments worldwide. Mr. Weaver has over 30 years of experience working for Johnson & Johnson, Kellogg Company, and Computer Sciences Corporations across various roles developing competencies within supply chain, commercial, legal, data and analytics, strategic planning and architecture, business and market intelligence and information technology. Since August 2013, he has served on the Michigan State University (MSU) A-CAPP Industry Advisory Board and from 2019 to 2021 serviced as president of the board. In 2018, he was recognized with the Brand Protection Pioneering Award from his industry peers. Additionally, he serves on many customer advisory boards within the brand protection industry. He previously served on the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) Board of Directors along with several other industry and academic positions throughout his career.
Gabriel Wrobel
3L, College of Law and A-CAPP Law Student Researcher, MSU
Gabe is a 3L at Michigan State University College of Law with a huge passion for soft IP. He graduated from University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Musical Theater, and has enjoyed transfering his love for the arts into protecting those arts and other creations. After graduation, he will be joining Foley and Lardner’s Chicago office focusing in trademark, counterfeiting, and advertising.
John Zacharia
Founder, John Zacharia Law & Professor of IP Criminal Law, George Washington University School of Law
John Zacharia is the Founder of Zacharia Law PLLC, a law firm dedicated to helping clients protect and enforce their intellectual property (IP) rights. Previously, John was the Assistant Deputy Chief for Litigation of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) of the United States Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, where he became one of the most experienced federal prosecutors of IP crime in the U.S. He has written extensively about the regulation of e-commerce platforms and the impact of artificial intelligence on IP. He was also a leading author of the recently completed IP Crime Investigation Handbook for Europe. John currently teaches Intellectual Property Criminal Law at the George Washington University School of Law.
Tony Zook
Assistant VP, Global Security Group, Merck
Tony serves as Merck’s Associate Vice President of Global Security and head of Merck’s global Product Integrity program. This includes responsibility for the development and execution of the Company’s strategy that protects Merck products from illicit actions, including counterfeiting, diversion, tampering, and theft. He holds responsibility for strategic and tactical operations related to Supply Chain Integrity, Investigations and Enforcement of Illicit Trade, and Forensic Services, as well as provides support to the advancement of Global Security’s additional strategic priorities.
Tony is Merck’s Subject Matter Expert on counterfeit and illicit pharmaceuticals and is a qualified Expert Witness on the subject. He is particularly interested in investigations and forensic analysis of counterfeit medicines, applications of advanced intelligence analytics to support these investigations, and collaborative relationships with regulatory and enforcement agencies who can best mitigate risks to patients.
Tony serves as Technical Advisor to the Pharmaceutical Security Institute, serves on the Board of Directors for the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition and Rx-360, and is an active member of the Rx-360 Supply Chain Security Steering Committee, the A-CAPP Center Advisory Board, and the APEC Supply Chain Security Steering Committee. Tony holds a B.A. degree in Chemistry from Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
Thank you to our 2024 Summit Sponsors
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Unlike many other conference hosts, Michigan State University is not an association that collects membership dues to provide seed money to support its events, and we work to keep registration rates lower than the industry average so all organizations can attend. As a result, our events would not be possible without support from our sponsors. Reach the 500+ stakeholders A-CAPP partners with and be seen as helping the greater good in the fight against counterfeit products and protecting brands by sponsoring the 2024 Summit!