Meet Kevin Cruz: Growing, Leading and Making an Impact at GovCIO

Q: What attracted you to GovCIO?

A: I felt valued from the beginning. I reached out to a recruiter asking for 15 minutes of their time to explain why I was a strong fit for an open position. Within a day, I was contacted by the recruiter, and the following day I was interviewed by the hiring team. Within a week, I received an offer letter. The fact that the team saw something in me spoke a lot to me. I also appreciated the great communication through the whole process. No confusion, no silence, just genuine connection.

“I was drawn to GovCIO because supporting the USCIS mission is personal to me. Helping provide IT equipment for immigration interviews means contributing to opportunities my parents once had — and joining NEON II gives me room to grow while doing meaningful work.”

Q: What skills or experiences are you bringing to the team?

A: I bring a strong desire to support my leadership and help my team succeed. I want the people who report to me feel they have a safe, supportive space to ask for help and grow in their careers. I have been fortunate to work for managers who encourage my development, and I am committed to carrying that example forward.

Q: How did you land here? Tell us a little about your path to GovCIO.

A: I supported CISA for the past five years through the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program, where I oversaw a team responsible for procuring software and deploying upgrades and patches to a cloud-based asset management dashboard. When the contract came to a close at the end of April 2026, I began exploring new opportunities. Fortunately, someone I am connected with on LinkedIn liked a job posted by a recruiter, and I am confident that this was the door I was meant to walk through.

Stay connected on LinkedIn and let the right role find you.

Q: What’s something surprising about your job or the work you do?

A: I am grateful to play even a small part in the USCIS mission to administer lawful immigration, grant citizenship, and provide immigration benefits. As the son of immigrants, this work holds personal meaning for me. My team partners with the agency to ensure the right IT equipment and support are in place for more than 250 sites where interviews and other critical activities take place.

Q: What’s a skill you use daily that people might not expect?

A: Listening. It may not sound like a technical skill, but it’s one of the most important tools I use every day. By taking the time to truly understand my leaders, teammates, and customers, I can anticipate needs, remove obstacles, and find the best ways to support the team. Strong listening builds trust, strengthens collaboration, and ultimately leads to better outcomes.

Q: What’s the best part about working at GovCIO?

A: Building relationships drives me. I genuinely enjoy the people I work with, and it means a lot knowing we have each other’s backs. We work hard, but we also have fun and share plenty of laughs. I also feel recognized at GovCIO. I have received a few compliments from company VPs about my performance with our customer, and that kind of recognition goes a long way.

“One of my favorite things to do as a deployment manager is building strong relationships. It happens daily — whether we’re troubleshooting or working through mission‑critical issues. Getting to know each team member and how they work is something I truly enjoy, and it makes every day different.”

Q: If you could share with your network why they should consider joining GovCIO, what would you say?

A: GovCIO truly values and respects candidates’ time. In my experience on the NEON II program, the hiring process was efficient, communicative, and thoughtful. I also appreciate how well the company listens to employees and their ideas.
As someone who recently got married and is beginning to plan for a family, I felt genuinely heard when discussing benefits and support. One example that really stood out to me was GovCIO’s flexibility with PTO. When I joined, my wedding happened to fall in the same month, and being able to start with the option to go up to 40 hours negative PTO allowed me to fully celebrate without stress.
Overall, it’s been an excellent experience since joining the team.

“If I had a few words to share with my network on why GovCIO is a great place to work, I’d say the company truly respects candidates’ time, listens to employees, and invests in their well‑being. From benefits to flexibility to genuine support, I’ve consistently felt heard — and that’s made a huge difference for me.”

Q: Finally, what’s your “get stuff done” anthem?

A: “Suficiente” by Kenny Rivers. I love the beat and the energy it brings. Most importantly, I love the message that speaks on 2 Corinthians 12:9; “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. I lean on the Lord’s strength to be the best I can be for those entrusted under my leadership.