“Don’t Boo, Vote”
Tima McGuthry-Banks is a visionary leader, lifelong learner, and passionate advocate for legacy-building through structured leadership and service. With over 25 years of professional experience spanning science, education, intellectual property, and public service, she is best known for her strategic impact in organizations and volunteer leadership that ensures continuity, excellence, and sustainable growth. Her hallmark is translating complex systems into practical, human-centered operations that empower communities, agencies, and future leaders.
Tima’s career began with her passion for chemistry and physics, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland (UMD) and later, a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Howard University. During her time at UMD, she served as Secretary of the Black Engineers Society for three years and worked in the Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering. Even as a student, she understood the importance of documentation and systems to create longevity and structure within mission-driven organizations.
Her early professional experiences included roles as a high school Chemistry teacher and adjunct Chemistry instructor at the College of Southern Maryland. She quickly discovered a gift for making complex scientific principles accessible to young learners and developed strong classroom management and communication skills. These skills proved foundational in her next chapter—as a Patent Examiner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where she has spent over 17 years in increasing leadership roles.
Tima’s tenure at the USPTO is distinguished by a deep commitment to innovation, adaptability, and strategic planning. She has served as Patent Examiner, Primary Patent Examiner, Project Manager, Acting Director, and currently, as a Telework Program Specialist. In this latest role, she played a critical part in transitioning the USPTO through the COVID-19 remote work era and into a post-pandemic telework strategy. Her collaborations span departments like Labor Relations and the Office of Governmental Affairs, as well as external briefings to organizations like NASA, the Department of Transportation, and Veterans Affairs. She also crafts congressional reports on telework impact and performance.
As a recognized thought leader in telework systems and enterprise infrastructure, Tima led the integration of two database systems into one streamlined enterprise platform, reducing costs and improving efficiency. She also created onboarding processes and monthly training sessions for new employees and managers across the USPTO. Her work emphasizes her strengths in program implementation, policy strategy, and cross-functional leadership—always focused on a legacy of transparency, efficiency, and continuity.
In parallel to her full-time career, Tima has made profound contributions to nonprofit organizations and community-based groups. She has held numerous leadership positions, including President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Patent and Trademark Professionals Chapter. Under her leadership, the chapter earned the 2024 Regional Chapter of the Year award for outreach in intellectual property. She also reestablished the organization’s charitable status and instituted a collegiate scholarship to build pathways for future engineers.
Her volunteerism spans across PTA leadership at multiple schools, where she held roles as Secretary, Treasurer, and President—successfully lobbying for new equipment and staffing resources. She has also served as Treasurer of the Charles County Master Gardeners and the Tantallon Community Players, where she maintained financial records, led audits, and ensured regulatory compliance. As Secretary for the Tanta Cove Garden Club and Prince George’s Alumni Network of UMD, she digitized records and created informational content to enhance transparency and accessibility.
Tima’s leadership style is grounded in service, systems, and sustainability. She believes the best way to learn how an organization works is by organizing its records and legacy documentation. Whether as Secretary, Treasurer, or President, she brings a disciplined and thoughtful approach that connects institutional history with present operations and future planning. She is a certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt, holds Agile Scrum training, and has completed both the Emerging Leaders Program and the prestigious Excellence in Government Fellows Program.
In addition to her professional and volunteer achievements, Tima is a skilled communicator and public speaker. She has spoken at agency events, led leadership seminars, and given local presentations on science, telework, and community engagement. Her calm presence, coupled with her methodical preparation and clarity, makes her a trusted voice in boardrooms and classrooms alike.
Tima’s personal passions mirror her professional ethos: she is an avid gardener, flutist, and reader who believes in the beauty of continuous growth and lifelong learning. Her life’s work is centered around leaving things better than she found them—through structure, documentation, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of purpose.
Character:
Tima leads with integrity, empathy, and a service-first mindset. Her ability to inspire trust while holding high standards ensures the organizations she touches are stronger and more resilient.
Knowledge:
With dual degrees in Chemical Engineering and decades of experience at the USPTO, Tima’s expertise spans science, law, policy, and education—making her a versatile and deeply informed leader.
Strategic:
She builds sustainable systems, not just short-term solutions. Her initiatives streamline operations, reduce costs, and promote continuity through structured processes and legacy documentation.
Communication:
Tima is an articulate and thoughtful communicator, able to bridge technical content with human understanding. She brings clarity, direction, and unity to diverse teams and stakeholders.
