2025 Keynote speakers, Award Presenters, and Special Guests
NEIL CHATTERJEE - 2025 EMCEE
Neil Chatterjee is a respected lawyer, political advisor, and public servant with a distinguished career in energy policy and government leadership. He began his career on the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means and went on to serve as an energy policy advisor to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
From 2017 to 2021, Chatterjee served as a Commissioner on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), including two terms as Chairman. In these roles, he helped guide national energy policy through a time of significant transition and innovation.
Following his tenure at FERC, Chatterjee joined the global law firm Hogan Lovells as an advisor in its energy regulation practice. In 2024, he was appointed to the board of CarbonCapture, a pioneering carbon removal startup based in Arizona.
Neil lives in Virginia with his wife, Rebecca, and their three children—Bo, Anderson, and Lane.
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT KYLE WHITE
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 PAUL SHUTE
PENDING - 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 LUWANDA F. JONES
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 TIM MCCROSSON
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.
DEPUTY CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER KRISTIN RUIZ
Kristin Ruiz is the Deputy Assistant Administrator, Deputy Chief Information Officer at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In this role, Ms. Ruiz is responsible for establishing strategic direction, and overseeing a full spectrum of information technology (IT) functions. Ms. Ruiz is responsible for the information technology security that supports 63,000+ federal employees, and $2.2B in IT Spend across 430 federalized airports that routinely screen more than 2 million passengers, 5 million carry-on bags and 1.4 million pieces of checked baggage daily for explosives and other prohibited items.
Ms. Ruiz is a driven, mission-focused IT leader with over 20 years of experience in technology, digital transformation, application development, and cybersecurity compliance. She has built, modernized, and overseen more than 300 secure, innovative, user-friendly applications throughout her career and has a proven track record of translating technology strategies into effective actions.
Before joining TSA, Ms. Ruiz served as the first Associate Chief Information Officer (ACIO) for the Office of Applications and Digital Solutions at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). As ACIO of the Office of Applications and Digital Solutions, Ms. Ruiz led the implementation of the $3 Billion Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) Program grants solution and DOT’s $600 Billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) enterprise grants management system. She pioneered a brand-new office setting the vision, direction, and organizational culture for DOT’s digital transformation with a focus on DevSecOps, cybersecurity, operations and maintenance, and capital planning investment control. Additionally, Ms. Ruiz managed the entirety of the DOT’s mandatory use Software Engineering Support (SWES) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), overseeing the successful award of over $375 Million.
Before joining DOT, Ms. Ruiz served as the IT Portfolio Management Director at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNCS) Agency, where she managed and executed the FNCS portfolio of applications supporting the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP) handling $85+ Billion in program funding with 50+ Million program recipients, and the Women Infants and Children (WIC) applications providing nutritional assistance to millions of families, school lunch support in 95,000 schools, and systems providing food to Americans during disasters. Ms. Ruiz is a United States Marine Corps veteran and a George Mason University Alumni and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton Business School Executive Development Program.
RETIRED ARMY LIEUTENANT GENERAL BOB ASHLEY
Bob Ashley is a retired Army Lieutenant General with thirty-six years of service. In his last duty position, he served as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, responsible to the Secretary of Defense for all aspects of intelligence support. He also served as the senior intelligence officer in the Army responsible to the Secretary of the Army for security and intelligence systems development for an Army intelligence force of over sixty thousand soldiers. As the commandant for the Army’s Intelligence Center and School, he helped train over ten thousand soldiers annually in multiple job specialties including cyber, counterintelligence, human intelligence, analysis, open source intelligence, and development of enterprise intelligence collection systems. He also has extensive combat experience as a commander and senior intelligence officer for the Joint Special Operations Command, Central Command, and International Security and Assistance Forces Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army in 2020, he has focused on family and remains active in the national security arena supporting several advisory boards and technology companies. He is also serving as one of sixteen commissioners on the Congressional bipartisan Afghan War Commission.