The USPTO Military Association (UMA) gathered to express appreciation and bid farewell to Fred Steckler, former agency Chief Administrative Officer and UMA Executive Sponsor, on April 2.

The UMA was founded 13 years ago and has supported hundreds of veteran colleagues and thousands within the military community through its monetary donations, letter-writing campaigns, and volunteerism.

Fred’s farewell was about “heartfelt gratitude for his steadfast executive championship” of the military community, said UMA president Robin Hylton.

After remarks from several former UMA presidents and the two new executive advisors, Fred took the stage to celebrate the USPTO’s veteran-friendly and service member-conscious environment. From the garrison flag that hangs in the atrium to the Memorial Day Walk of Remembrance and Wreaths Across America events, Fred said, the UMA is helping to shape the agency’s culture.