Appears In
At 3 a.m., VA employee, Veteran, and Team USA athlete Anil Tilbe starts his day. As a competitor for Team USA in the upcoming 2025 World Triathlon Championship in Pontevedra, Spain, Mr. Tilbe knows every minute of training counts. “Each week, I engage in twelve distinct training sessions where my recovery and energy levels guide me. The early morning hours are the only predictable time available for training, so I make the most of it.”
Mr. Tilbe is the Director of VA’s Office of Information and Technology (OIT) People Analytics Directorate. He got his start in triathlons as a cadet at West Point in 2006 and has since competed in everything from sprint triathlons to Ironman competitions. Looking forward to his first appearance as a member of Team USA at the World Triathlon Championship, part of his preparation is pushing himself harder than he expects the competition to be. “Reflecting on my days in the United States military, I always remind myself: “You train harder than you fight.”
Mr. Tilbe’s Team USA qualification for the World Triathlon Championships follows his impressive qualifying performance at the USA National Championships this past June in Omaha, Nebraska. As he prepares to represent the United States on the world stage, Mr. Tilbe thinks about the bigger picture. “Sports teach us to work as a team, believe in ourselves, and keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacles. If anything, playing sports uplifts our spirits and fosters a sense of community, reminding us that we are stronger together.”
Mr. Tilbe looks forward to raising awareness and increasing access to sports science for everyone, from young athletes throughout the United States to aspiring Olympians. This passion for exceptionalism extends to his professional endeavors as well. In his 13 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs, he has received many awards. These awards include the U.S. President’s Gears of Government Award and the two-time Federal Health IT Award, which he received twice. Also, Mr. Tilbe was named one of the Top 50 U.S. Federal Government Artificial Intelligence Influencers.
“Anil’s passion for excellence extends throughout OIT’s People Analytics Directorate. Especially in making sure our customers – the entire VA workforce — are provided outstanding experiences with VA’s IT products and services.” Says Associate Director, Abe George. That dedication and vigor for everything he does ensures Mr. Tilbe will have many fans cheering him on as he competes on the World stage in 2025.
With excitement, Mr. Tilbe looks forward to the challenge with the firm belief that participation in sports makes all the difference. “This achievement is a testament to perseverance and the unwavering belief that we can all overcome the toughest challenges when we support each other.”
