ATLANTA – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, today released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate James Gfrerer to be assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Information and Technology (IT):

“I am pleased President Trump has announced his intent to nominate James Gfrerer to be assistant secretary of Veterans Affairs for Information and Technology. This Senate-confirmed role oversees a number of critical projects at the VA, including the massive electronic health records merger, a new system to support the expanded VA caregivers benefits, and other IT priorities. Having permanent leadership in place to oversee these projects and the VA’s various information and technology systems will be critical as Congress works with the VA to address concerns and make improvements to bring VA into the 21st century. I look forward to meeting Mr. Gfrerer and learning more about his background and vision for accomplishing these important tasks.”

At a committee hearing in January, Isakson highlighted the number of vacancies in important leadership roles at the VA, including the IT office. In May, then-Acting VA Secretary Robert Wilkie signed the contract to adopt the Cerner electronic health record system for veterans’ medical records.

Also ongoing is the restructuring of the database for VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to support the expansion of eligibility to veterans of all generations that was included in the VA MISSION Act.

Background on James Gfrerer (courtesy of the White House):

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts

James Paul Gfrerer of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mr. Gfrerer served as an Executive Director with Ernst & Young (EY), LLP where he worked in the firm’s cybersecurity practice. Prior to joining the company, he served in the United States Marine Corps for over two decades and was a Department of Defense Detailee to the Department of State leading interagency portfolios in counterterrorism and cybersecurity. Mr. Gfrerer earned his B.S. in computer science from the U.S. Naval Academy and M.S. in national resource strategy from National Defense University where he was a distinguished graduate.

###

The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is chaired by U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., in the 114th Congress. Isakson is a veteran himself – having served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-1972 – and has been a member of the Senate VA Committee since he joined the Senate in 2005. Isakson’s home state of Georgia is home to more than a dozen military installations representing each branch of the military as well as more than 750,000 veterans.