Anthony Closson is a United States Air Force veteran and founder and CEO of Colossal Contracting, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business delivering technology solutions and professional services to government and commercial clients.

With more than 20 years of experience in technology and government contracting, Anthony has grown Colossal from a startup into a nationally recognized firm supporting mission-critical initiatives across the Department of Defense and civilian agencies.

Anthony is deeply committed to serving the veteran community. He founded Colossal’s annual “22 For You Day” in partnership with Mission 22, raising more than $1 million to support veteran suicide prevention and awareness. He is also a founding member of Bridge Beyond Borders, which provides underserved youth with access to sports and mentorship opportunities. His leadership is driven by a commitment to service, mentorship, community, and meaningful impact.

Anthony Closson is a United States Air Force veteran and founder and CEO of <a href="https://www.colossal-llc.com/">Colossal Contracting</a>, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business delivering technology solutions and professional services to government and commercial clients.
With more than 20 years of experience in technology and government contracting, Anthony has grown Colossal from a startup into a nationally recognized firm supporting mission-critical initiatives across the Department of Defense and civilian agencies.
Anthony is deeply committed to serving the veteran community. He founded Colossal&rsquo;s annual &ldquo;22 For You Day&rdquo; in partnership with Mission 22, raising more than $1 million to support veteran suicide prevention and awareness. He is also a founding member of Bridge Beyond Borders, which provides underserved youth with access to sports and mentorship opportunities.&nbsp;His leadership is driven by a commitment to service, mentorship, community, and meaningful impact.

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CEOs You Should Know

Anthony Closson, CEO of Colossal Contracting 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/98a2599f-cd9b-4f2a-9be4-b22c00e585f2/clips/b032d078-1280-4a75-99d0-b4dc00d8461f/transcript

David Hakanson, MBA, is President and CEO of Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (G.E.H.A.), a nonprofit member association that has provided health and dental benefits to federal employees, retirees, military retirees, and their families since 1937.

A proven operator and transformational healthcare executive, David brings more than two decades of experience leading complex organizations through modernization, operational redesign, and sustained performance improvement.

As President and CEO of G.E.H.A. and President of G.E.H.A. Solutions, Inc. (GSI), David holds full accountability for G.E.H.A.’s business operations, including oversight of the dental product portfolio, proprietary network, and Network Leasing P&L, which supports access for more than 60 million covered lives nationwide.

Passionate about growth and building secure, modern, customer-focused organizations, David combines strategic vision with technology execution to drive performance and organizational resilience. His leadership is grounded in operational discipline, data-driven decision-making, and a strong focus on delivering measurable results.

Throughout his career, David has successfully translated strategy into action, strengthened financial performance, and enhanced member and customer experiences. At G.E.H.A., he helped lead a multiyear transformation to modernize core platforms, improve operational efficiency, and position the organization for long-term success.

Previously, David served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Southern Illinois Healthcare, where he spearheaded several critical digital transformation initiatives. These included implementing an AI-powered case management system (XSOLIS) to support admissions, discharges, and transfers, as well as launching an enterprise telehealth platform and remote patient monitoring system during the COVID-19 pandemic. These initiatives reduced operating costs, improved the end-user experience, and strengthened employee morale.

David holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Missouri–Columbia and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

David Hakanson, MBA, is President and CEO of Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (G.E.H.A.), a nonprofit member association that has provided health and dental benefits to federal employees, retirees, military retirees, and their families since 1937.
A proven operator and transformational healthcare executive, David brings more than two decades of experience leading complex organizations through modernization, operational redesign, and sustained performance improvement.
As President and CEO of G.E.H.A. and President of G.E.H.A. Solutions, Inc. (GSI), David holds full accountability for G.E.H.A.&rsquo;s business operations, including oversight of the dental product portfolio, proprietary network, and Network Leasing P&amp;L, which supports access for more than 60 million covered lives nationwide.
Passionate about growth and building secure, modern, customer-focused organizations, David combines strategic vision with technology execution to drive performance and organizational resilience. His leadership is grounded in operational discipline, data-driven decision-making, and a strong focus on delivering measurable results.
Throughout his career, David has successfully translated strategy into action, strengthened financial performance, and enhanced member and customer experiences. At G.E.H.A., he helped lead a multiyear transformation to modernize core platforms, improve operational efficiency, and position the organization for long-term success.
Previously, David served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Southern Illinois Healthcare, where he spearheaded several critical digital transformation initiatives. These included implementing an AI-powered case management system (XSOLIS) to support admissions, discharges, and transfers, as well as launching an enterprise telehealth platform and remote patient monitoring system during the COVID-19 pandemic. These initiatives reduced operating costs, improved the end-user experience, and strengthened employee morale.
David holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Missouri&ndash;Columbia and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri&ndash;Kansas City.

David Hakanson, CEO & President, Government Employees Health Association (G.E.H.A)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/98a2599f-cd9b-4f2a-9be4-b22c00e585f2/clips/b0f27218-dcea-4120-91c3-b4e500daf429/transcript

Vanessa Vasquez is the Chief Financial Officer of Madrinas Insurance and a key architect behind the company's finance, operations, legal, risk, and human resources functions. Since the company's founding, she has helped build the infrastructure and culture that have fueled its growth, including leading the 2023 merger due diligence and integration with Alliant Insurance Services while preserving Madrinas' unique "corporate-owned, family-led" culture.

Under her leadership, Madrinas has introduced standardized compensation programs, expanded employee development initiatives, and created employee shareholder opportunities that have strengthened retention and organizational performance. Beginning her career in engineering and becoming a Controller at age 22, Vanessa has built a reputation as a strategic leader who combines operational excellence with a people-first approach. She is also deeply committed to community engagement, supporting Miami-Dade County Public Schools, health literacy initiatives, and organizations like La Liga Contra el Cáncer.A champion for people, growth, and innovation, Vanessa continues to lead with a rare combination of financial expertise, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to the communities and employees she serves.Hear Vanessa Vasquez's story and commitment to Madrinas Insurance with WIOD's Erica Rodriguez.

Vanessa Vasquez is the Chief Financial Officer of Madrinas Insurance and a key architect behind the company's finance, operations, legal, risk, and human resources functions. Since the company's founding, she has helped build the infrastructure and culture that have fueled its growth, including leading the 2023 merger due diligence and integration with Alliant Insurance Services while preserving Madrinas' unique "corporate-owned, family-led" culture. Under her leadership, Madrinas has introduced standardized compensation programs, expanded employee development initiatives, and created employee shareholder opportunities that have strengthened retention and organizational performance. Beginning her career in engineering and becoming a Controller at age 22, Vanessa has built a reputation as a strategic leader who combines operational excellence with a people-first approach. She is also deeply committed to community engagement, supporting Miami-Dade County Public Schools, health literacy initiatives, and organizations like La Liga Contra el C&aacute;ncer.A champion for people, growth, and innovation, Vanessa continues to lead with a rare combination of financial expertise, operational excellence, and unwavering commitment to the communities and employees she serves.Hear Vanessa Vasquez's story and commitment to Madrinas Insurance with WIOD's Erica Rodriguez.

Vanessa Vazquez - CFO Madrinas Insurance 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/98a2599f-cd9b-4f2a-9be4-b22c00e585f2/clips/e5b50440-c472-4b67-aabd-b4d700ee1628/transcript

Emily was appointed as chief executive officer of Americans for Prosperity in 2017. As CEO, Emily drives the organization’s mission and strategy to build a permanent grassroots presence that educates and activates citizens to advocate for policies that will help people improve their lives. Emily has been a public policy advocate for the past decade, building policy coalitions of principled lawmakers to unleash opportunities for all Americans to pursue their dreams. Emily also served as the director of special projects at Koch Companies Public Sector, where she worked on a team to build some of the capabilities that make up the Stand Together community today.

Emily has over two decades of experience in policy and politics. She spent 12 years serving the U.S. House of Representatives, working for various House Republican leaders in the Speaker’s office and at the House Republican Conference, including Vice President Mike Pence. Emily is a graduate of Middlebury College, with a focus on international politics and economics. Originally from Minnesota, Emily and her husband now live in suburban Virginia with their two children.

Emily was appointed as chief executive officer of Americans for Prosperity in 2017. As CEO, Emily drives the organization&rsquo;s mission and strategy to build a permanent grassroots presence that educates and activates citizens to advocate for policies that will help people improve their lives. Emily has been a public policy advocate for the past decade, building policy coalitions of principled lawmakers to unleash opportunities for all Americans to pursue their dreams. Emily also served as the director of special projects at Koch Companies Public Sector, where she worked on a team to build some of the capabilities that make up the Stand Together community today. Emily has over two decades of experience in policy and politics. She spent 12 years serving the U.S. House of Representatives, working for various House Republican leaders in the Speaker&rsquo;s office and at the House Republican Conference, including Vice President Mike Pence. Emily is a graduate of Middlebury College, with a focus on international politics and economics. Originally from Minnesota, Emily and her husband now live in suburban Virginia with their two children.

Emily Seidel, CEO, Americans for Prosperity

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/98a2599f-cd9b-4f2a-9be4-b22c00e585f2/clips/9904b009-fc4b-44b0-9ce6-b4c7013ebcaf/transcript

Anthony Closson, CEO of Colossal Contracting

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