Deputy Assistant Secretary for Interoperability
Sam Kaardal serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Interoperability. Mr. Kaardal joined ASTP/ONC in August 2025 and prior to that he spent seven years working in the U.S. House of Representatives. Most recently, Mr. Kaardal served as the Republican staff director for the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. In this role, Mr. Kaardal and his team were responsible for executing congressional legislative and oversight authority over IT at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs including, but not limited to, healthcare IT and advancing interoperability goals regarding veterans’ healthcare data.
Mr. Kaardal holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and upon graduation he received his commission in the United States Army Reserves through the Reserve Officer Training Program. He served as a logistics officer in the Army Reserves for eight years in positions that include company commander, company executive officer, battalion staff officer, and brigade staff officer.