Richard Garrison is the acting executive director of Connected Health in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Connected Care. He has a varied background in the military, civilian, and private sectors.

He is an experienced executive with a demonstrated history of helping corporate and government agencies deliver organizational strategies. His experiences span multiple business functions, including strategy development, information technology, portfolio and program management, contract and vendor management, business operations, financial management, data analytics, and human capital management.

He started his career in the U.S. Navy, where he rose to be the head of the engineering department and the deputy for training for Strategic Systems Programs.

After leaving the Navy, he worked as a contractor supporting military training before becoming the vice chancellor and director of the Program Management Center of Excellence at the VA Acquisition Academy. Garrison used his experience to create the Center of Excellence from scratch.

When his boss was recruited to lead training at Lowe’s Companies Inc., she brought Garrison on board to Lowe’s as the senior director of talent portfolio management.

Prior to his current role, Garrison worked as a hearing office director and the chief digital officer for the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals.

Garrison graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in engineering and from the University of Houston with a Master of Science in engineering. Garrison is a certified Scrum Master and Change Management Professional, holds a Senior Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers, and graduated from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler School of Business’ HR Strategic Partner Program.