Gaurav Mathur: Engineering a better solution for vets

Name: Gaurav Mathur

Age: 41

Organization: Creative Computing Solutions Inc. (CCSi)

Title: Subject-Matter Expert/Technical Lead

Nominated for: Supporting the implementation of the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record, a joint initiative by the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments aimed at improving the health care of veterans.

First IT mentor: Manju Bewtra, CCSi’s founder, who has been coaching me in software engineering methodologies and the value of embedding quality throughout every activity. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for her.

Latest accomplishment on the job: I'm most proud of the work I’ve done on VA’s Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record, My HealtheVet’s Blue Button project, and health information exchange standards between VA, DOD and private partners.

Career highlight: What gives me the most satisfaction is the contribution I have made toward business development activities — most notably, being part of the team that helped CCSi win the VA T4 contract.

Your advice for a government IT wannabe: Always keep in mind the value of your work by relating your day-to-day activities back to the agency’s strategic objectives and outcomes.

What you enjoy most about working in government IT: It is very satisfying to see the direct impact of my activities on the quality of care received by consumers, veterans and active-duty personnel.

Three favorite job-related bookmarks: My HealtheVet, Nationwide Health Information Network, Health IT Standards Panel

Dream non-IT-related job: Food critic

Read the next Rising Star profile or view the full list of winners.