Meet the Team
Edward Vasko
Executive Director
Edward Vasko, CISSP, C|CISO, is a nationally recognized speaker, author, and subject matter expert on cybersecurity, workforce development, and organizational transformation. He is currently the CEO of High Wire Overwatch, one of the world’s largest managed security service providers (MSSPs). Prior to High Wire Overwatch, he was the Director of Boise State University’s Institute of Pervasive Cybersecurity where his work enabled Boise State to become a top-tier University known for solving the complex cybersecurity problems facing all businesses, industries, and critical infrastructure. In doing so, he established Boise State as a national leader of cybersecurity research and workforce development. He is a successive entrepreneur with over 30-years of experience in the cybersecurity industry. Prior to joining Boise State University, Edward established and was a Senior Vice President at Avertium, a leading national managed security and consulting provider. Before establishing Avertium, he was the co-Founder and CEO of Terra Verde, based in Phoenix, Arizona. Edward grew Terra Verde into Arizona’s largest provider of cybersecurity advisory and managed security services, with over 2,000 active clients around the world. Through his career, he started, successfully ran, and exited five businesses, all in the cybersecurity industry. His extensive experience in cybersecurity provides him deep expertise to help organizations of all sizes in securing their critical assets.
Edward is also an active member on university advisory councils, working with universities to develop curriculum that more quickly enable 21st Century Cybersecurity Professionals to enter the workforce ready to help defend the nation’s critical assets. Appointed by Arizona’s Governor, Edward held a Commissioner role in Arizona’s Commission for Post-Secondary Education from 2015-2019. He was also appointed as the co-Chair of Arizona’s Cyber Team (ACT) Workforce Development Committee and a member of Idaho’s Cybersecurity Task Force. His first book, “Opportunity Seized, Squandered, Lost: An AI Business Parable,” was published in 2024. He is a graduate of Arizona State University and multi-year recipient of ASU’s Sun Devil 100 business leadership award. Most importantly though, Edward is a proud father and husband.
John Yaros
Head of Policy
Executive Director, Financial Innovation Lab
John Yaros is a finance, technology, and national security expert who currently serves as the President of VirFin Solutions a financial technology consulting firm that provides government relations, policy, business, and product solutions for clients. Yaros previously served in numerous high profile positions including leading the U.S Treasury Department’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence’s (TFI) Terrorism and Nuclear Proliferation Team, conducting investigations for the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), advising fintech and cybersecurity companies, managing cybersecurity audits at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and working in the securities industry at Morgan Stanley. Most recently Yaros was appointed Securities Bureau Chief for the state of Idaho where he managed a large team of financial professionals who investigated financial crimes and provided regulatory oversight for the over 153,000 entities and individuals that are licensed/registered to offer securities and financial services in Idaho.
Yaros is also a Board Member for the TechCongress Fellowship Program, a former Division 1 college ice hockey player, and a proud cancer survivor.
Heidi Codling
Head of Cybersecurity Policy &
Digital Asset Education
Heidi Codling is a cybersecurity professional with a lifelong commitment to community service and education. A proud Idahoan, Heidi spent over a decade as an educator, where she focused on making learning meaningful through real-world projects and mentorship. She also served as an honor society advisor, helping students develop leadership skills through community service initiatives.
Her experience coordinating community events, including serving as team guide director for an international folk-dance festival, sharpened her organizational and leadership abilities—ensuring smooth logistics and timely communication across diverse teams.
Recently earning her M.S. in Cybersecurity, Heidi has discovered a new passion for protecting individuals and organizations from cyber threats. She is excited to combine her teaching background, leadership experience, and technical knowledge to make a lasting impact in the field of cybersecurity and public service.
In her spare time, Heidi enjoys mountain biking, hiking, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, and reading.