Biography: 

Vincent Gioia has over 30 years experience with plant variety protection including patents, trademarks, copyrights, licenses and other agreements, and litigation. 

After receiving a degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, Mr. Gioia served for four years as a patent examiner in the U.S. Patent Office and obtained a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University. Prior to entering private practice Mr. Gioia was General Counsel of Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Gioia's expertise in plant variety protection and trademarks evolved from extensive knowledge and experience in horticulture. He is a member of the International Plant Propagators Society (IPPS); CIOPORA, an international organization of plant breeders; and other horticulture and professional associations.

Mr. Gioia is past President of the American Rose Society and a past International President of the World Federation of Rose Societies, and has served, by invitation, on many international juries for judging new plant varieties. He is a recipient of the American Rose Society silver honor medal and has authored over 40 articles for horticulture and legal publications. His articles have been published in The American Nurserymen, the American Rose Magazine, Prophyta (a European publication), and the IPPS Journal. He has also presented papers at seminars and symposiums in the U.S. and abroad. Mr. Gioia has also held a position unusual for his profession: he was the "hands on" manager of a nursery in Ontario, California, producing and selling miniature roses.