Cadenas to step up at VA

VA's cybersecurity head will take new position when CIO Robert McFarland leaves in May.

Pedro Cadenas Jr. has been designated acting deputy assistant secretary for information and technology at the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a memo signed by Robert McFarland, who will leave his position as the VA's chief information officer April 28.

The VA confirmed today that Cadenas will assume the new title when McFarland leaves, “effective immediately and until further notice.” Cadenas is the VA’s associate deputy assistant secretary for cyber and information security.

McFarland, a Texas native and retired Dell Computer executive, came out of retirement to take the VA CIO job in January 2004.