Michael Kelmachter is being recognized in Category 3: Using Innovation, Data, and Breaking Down Organizational Barriers for transforming how the Department of Veterans Affairs manages its $100+ billion real estate portfolio to better serve veterans nationwide.

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He spearheaded the development of the Strategic Capital Investment Planning (SCIP) Automation Tool 2.0, a modern Salesforce-based system that replaced outdated platforms and now evaluates more than 4,000 projects annually. This innovation has enabled smarter, data-driven investment decisions, proactive lease management that prevents service gaps, and the creation of over 10,000 housing units for homeless veterans.

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Through Michael’s leadership, the VA has embraced a forward-looking, analytics-driven approach to capital planning—saving millions, modernizing infrastructure, and ensuring veterans receive timely, high-quality services in well-supported facilities across the country.