VA's Warren Given CIO Title As House Ramps Up Cyber Investigation

The Veterans Affairs Department is splitting up its chief information officer's position for at least the short term.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki today removed the acting title from Stephen Warren and named him the agency's full-time chief information officer. But Warren has not been nominated to be the assistant secretary in the Office of Information and Technology, which is a Senate-confirmed position.

An email sent to VA senior executives and obtained by Federal News Radio said, "Effective immediately, and until further notice, Stephen Warren will serve as Executive in Charge, Office of Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer."

A VA spokeswoman said Warren has served for the maximum 210 days as the acting assistant secretary. The Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 limits how long anyone can serve in an acting position without being nominated for the position to the Senate.