VA taps industry expert as new CIO

The Department of Veterans Affairs has tapped an industry information technology

expert to serve as its new chief information officer.

Edward Meagher began work Tuesday as a special assistant to the VA secretary

while he awaits confirmation by Congress, which returns from recess next

month. Meagher, who most recently ran his own technical consulting firm,

replaces the former acting CIO, Harold Gracey, who left VA to join FedBid.com

in June.

Robert Bubniak was appointed acting VA CIO in the interim.

Until Meagher's appointment to CIO is confirmed, "I'll keep my ears

open and try to learn as much as I can over the next several weeks," he

said.

Meagher has worked for systems integrators and his firm, Ed Meagher

& Associates, consulted for startup companies and developed IT architecture

plans.