2025 VETSports Gala - Special Guests below

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient

Kyle White's journey of dedication and valor began with his enlistment in the U.S. Army, where he honed his skills through rigorous military education and training. His exceptional service led to his heroic actions in Afghanistan, earning him the prestigious Medal of Honor for bravery and leadership under fire. Transitioning into civilian life, Kyle now serves as the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Eleven09, channeling his expertise into operations, strategic planning, and consultation to deliver impactful solutions.

Beyond his professional role, Kyle remains deeply committed to advocating for service members and veterans. He plays a pivotal role in honoring Medal of Honor recipients as the Treasurer and Washington DC agent for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Additionally, he serves as an ambassador for the COHEN Veterans Network, championing initiatives in employment, education, and mental healthcare for veterans.

Kyle's dedication extends to active involvement in organizations like VETSports, promoting veteran engagement, community service, and responsible citizenship. Through his ongoing efforts, Kyle exemplifies a steadfast commitment to making a positive impact and advocating for the well-being and advancement of the veteran community.

Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Automated Benefits Delivery

Paul is currently the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for the Office of Automated Benefits Delivery for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In this role, he is responsible for VBA’s digital transformation strategy, including the delivery of automation capabilities to modernize the claims process, evolving the use of data to streamline operations, and expanding the adoption of digital self-service products to improve Veterans’ experience.

Prior to his current assignment, Paul served as the Director of Benefits Automation for the Veterans Benefits Administration. He was responsible for the development and implementation of automation capabilities to improve customer experience and benefit delivery for Veterans. While serving in this role he led the development of Automated Decision Support functionality that automates administrative tasks and workflows assisting claims processors in making fast, accurate, consistent, and equitable claim decisions for Veterans.

He’s also improved the digital experience for Veterans and Service members by creating self-service claim products on VA.gov.

Paul began his career with VA in 2008 at the St. Paul Regional Office, serving as a Veterans Service Representative and Rating Veterans Service Representative. He’s also a senior fellow of the Excellence in Government program with the Partnership for Public Service and was a finalist for a 2019 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal in the category of management excellence.

Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Office of Strategic Sourcing in the Office of Information and Technology (OIT)

Luwanda F. Jones currently holds the role of Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) for the Office of Strategic Sourcing within the Office of Information and Technology (OIT). In this capacity, she provides vital executive oversight and leadership in developing strategies to manage and optimize IT acquisition actions worth over $4 billion annually across the Department. Her responsibilities extend to ensuring compliance with the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) and implementing policies and guidelines for IT acquisitions.

Before assuming her current position, Jones served as the Executive Director for IT Acquisition Strategic and IT Space/Facilities Management in OIT. During this tenure, she played a pivotal role as the OIT representative in the VA Strategic Capital Investment Planning (SCIP) process, overseeing major and minor construction projects to address IT infrastructure needs across the VA enterprise. Managing a vast portfolio of facilities and projects valued at approximately $68 million, she demonstrated her expertise in strategic planning and resource management.

Jones brings a wealth of experience from her 28-year career in the U.S. Army, where she held various senior acquisition and information technology roles. A graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and certified in Program Management and Information Technology, she continues to leverage her extensive knowledge and skills to drive impactful strategies and initiatives in IT acquisition and management within the federal government.

Assistant Chief Information Officer for Rural Development.

Tim McCrosson currently serves as the Assistant Chief Information Officer for Rural Development, focusing on enhancing IT capabilities to support mission delivery and operations within the Mission Area. His extensive career includes remarkable achievements and contributions to the federal IT landscape.

Previously, Tim held pivotal roles such as the Associate CIO for the Client Experience Center (CEC) and the Deputy Branch Chief for Cybersecurity Performance Management at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security. During his tenure, Tim spearheaded initiatives to refine data collection methods, pioneered quantitative risk analysis approaches, and contributed significantly to policy changes impacting IT budgeting, agile development, accessibility, and portfolio management.

Tim's federal career began at Housing and Urban Development, where he started as a Web Manager and later became the project manager for re-engineering the largest grant system in the Department. He has also supported legislative efforts and oversight hearings while serving with the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in the Senate.

Beyond his professional achievements, Tim is a dedicated family man and enjoys engaging in various outdoor activities. He is passionate about soccer, both as a player and coach, and also loves trail running, kayaking, and biking, especially with his kids.