Erik Viilu, M.B.A.

Erik Viilu, M.B.A., became chief information officer (CIO) for NICHD in October 2024. He leads the NICHD information technology (IT) team, as well as the Information Resource Management Branch. Mr. Viilu will coordinate existing IT activities, spearhead numerous new initiatives, including ways to adopt artificial intelligence strategies, and manage the NICHD IT budget. 

Mr. Viilu has spent more than 25 years working in multiple roles for the federal government. Most recently, he served as acting CIO for the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and as NIA’s deputy CIO and information system security officer. In these roles, he significantly expanded and matured the operations and led initiatives across both intramural and extramural research programs. This included the NIA IT Modernization Initiative, which sought new ways of using technology to improve automation, workflow, and business processes. Additionally, he spearheaded the expansion of IT efforts and the acquisition or development of several major IT applications, data health assessments, and new offices in IT. Beyond his work at NIA, he spent time at the Department of Defense, the Department of Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Mr. Viilu holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration and multiple cybersecurity certifications, including Certified Information System Security Professional and Certified Information Security Manager. When not at work, he coaches high school, travel, and college club lacrosse teams.