VA Names OIG CIO, Taps Nominee for Department-Wide IT Chief

Why It Matters

New leadership could accelerate the VA’s long‑standing IT modernization, tighten cybersecurity, and improve data governance for the nation’s 20 million veterans.

Key Takeaways

• Gary Shatswell nominated as VA Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology
• Shatswell previously built Unilever Prestige’s first centralized CIO organization
• Lance Jenkinson appointed OIG CIO, bringing war department IT expertise
• Both leaders tasked with strengthening VA cybersecurity and enterprise architecture
• Senate confirmation required before Shatswell assumes department‑wide CIO role

Pulse Analysis

The Veterans Affairs department has long struggled with outdated legacy systems, fragmented data silos, and a rising tide of cyber threats. By installing a dedicated CIO at the Office of the Inspector General and nominating a department‑wide chief information officer, the VA signals a strategic pivot toward unified governance and accelerated digital transformation. This dual‑track approach aligns with the broader federal push for cloud migration, zero‑trust security models, and AI‑enabled analytics that can streamline benefits processing for veterans.

Gary Shatswell’s private‑sector résumé is a rarity in federal IT leadership. At Unilever Prestige, he built a centralized technology organization from scratch, consolidating enterprise applications, data engineering, and AI initiatives while tightening cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. Translating that playbook to the VA could mean faster adoption of shared services, more consistent data standards, and a stronger risk‑management posture. His experience in consumer‑focused digital disruption may also help the VA modernize veteran portals, making them more intuitive and mobile‑friendly.

Lance Jenkinson, by contrast, brings deep government‑wide expertise, having overseen cloud adoption and large‑scale transformation projects within the War Department. As OIG CIO, he will oversee the audit office’s own IT infrastructure, ensuring that oversight tools are secure and that findings on agency‑wide technology risks are data‑driven. Together, Shatswell and Jenkinson are positioned to tighten the VA’s cyber defenses, improve operational efficiency, and ultimately deliver faster, more reliable services to veterans—a critical outcome as the agency confronts increasing demand for health care and benefits.