BRIDGE BEYOND BORDERS

Empowering Student Athletes for a Brighter Future

Our Vision

Welcome to Bridge Beyond Borders, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of student-athletes. We believe in the profound power of education and sport to shape well-rounded individuals ready to excel in college and beyond.

Our mission is to empower student athletes by providing scholarships and support in pursuit of higher education and overall development as people. We are committed to building bridges that connect talent with opportunity, ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of academic and athletic dreams.

Our Team

Anthony Closson

Jay Frankl

Joshua Izenberg

  • Anthony Closson is a United States Air Force veteran, accomplished communications expert, and the Chief Executive Officer of Colossal Contracting, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) delivering technology solutions and professional services to government and commercial clients. With more than 20 years of experience in the technology and government contracting sectors, Anthony is recognized for scaling organizations from early-stage startups into high-performing, mission-driven market leaders. Colossal is now one of the top-performing Veteran-Owned Small Businesses in the world, delivering products and services on a global scale.

    A forward-thinking executive, Anthony combines strategic vision with operational discipline to drive sustainable growth and long-term value. His leadership philosophy is rooted in empowerment, mentorship, and collaboration, with a strong belief that people are the foundation of any successful organization.

    Beyond his professional accomplishments, Anthony is widely respected for his unwavering commitment to service and philanthropy, particularly in support of the veteran community. Under his leadership, Colossal has earned numerous veteran-focused honors, including Gold and Platinum Medallions from HireVets and designation as a Patriotic Employer by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). Anthony also founded Colossal’s annual “22 For You Day” in partnership with Mission 22, a nonprofit dedicated to ending veteran suicide. Since its inception, the initiative has raised over $1 million, generating critical awareness and funding to address one of the most pressing challenges facing veterans today.

    Anthony is also an avid combat sports athlete and lifelong fan. He and his family have been immersed in wrestling and combat athletics for more than 30 years, a passion that reflects his belief in discipline, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence. This love for competition and performance led to his investment in Takedown Inc, the number one combat sports apparel company, where he serves as both an investor and advisor to CEO Dustin Kawa. His involvement in the combat sports community mirrors the same competitive spirit and commitment to excellence that define his leadership in business and philanthropy.

    Anthony’s passion for service extends into his local community as well. He is a founding member of Bridge Beyond Borders, a nonprofit organization that empowers underserved youth in Anne Arundel County through access to sports and mentorship opportunities. Anthony is also a donor, volunteer, and supporter for multiple youth county, private, and public-school sports programs.

    Anthony resides in the National Capital Region with his amazing wife April and their four sons. He balances his professional and philanthropic pursuits with a deep appreciation for family, adventure, and meaningful experiences. Whether leading businesses, championing causes, competing, traveling, or spending time on the water with family and friends, Anthony is driven by a commitment to purpose, mission, and the zest for chasing dreams.

  • Jason “Jay” Frankl advises management teams and boards of directors on how to proactively develop and implement value creation plans and strategies that keep shareholder activism and unwelcome M&A pursuits at bay. With 20+ years of consulting experience, Mr. Frankl has led hundreds of engagements, including some of the highest profile shareholder activism and contested M&A situations in U.S. history (measured by dollar value). He has also served as an expert witness in connection with corporate governance and capital markets matters.

    Mr. Frankl has also counseled hundreds of Nasdaq- and New York Stock Exchange-listed companies on the application of and strategies to achieve and regain compliance with relevant listing requirements.

    Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Frankl spent 20 years with FTI Consulting, where he most recently served as Senior Managing Director and Co-Leader of the Activism and M&A Solutions practice. Before that, he served as Counsel with Nasdaq, where he conducted/or was involved in 1,000+ hearings for issuers faced with the threat of delisting or denial of initial listing for failure to satisfy Nasdaq listing standards.

    Mr. Frankl was appointed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan in 2019 to serve on the Board of Directors of the University of Maryland Medical System, a $4.8 billion medical system. He is currently Vice Chairman-elect, having served as Chairman of the Audit & Compliance Committee, Chairman of the Investments Committee, and on the Executive Compensation Committee. 

    Mr. Frankl earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Springfield College and a J.D. from the Catholic University of America. He is a four-time honoree of the National Association of Corporate Director’s Directorship 100 list, which recognizes the most influential leaders and advisors in corporate governance.

  • Joshua Izenberg is the Founder and Principal of IzenbergLaw PLLC. Josh has 25 years of experience as an attorney, including as a former public company General Counsel in the aerospace and defense industries, and as an Associate in the Corporate & Securities Group at one of the world’s largest international law firms. Josh runs a diverse legal practice based in Washington, DC, with a particular focus on M&A and commercial and government contract counseling. Josh also counsels clients in connection with corporate governance, company formation, structuring of shareholder and operating agreements, fundraising, and several other legal areas.

    In addition to his legal practice, Josh currently acts as a Co-Founder and General Counsel of Woodford Resources, LLC, a startup focused on building a US-centric rare earth element supply chain. Recently, Josh also was a Co-Founder and the General Counsel of OffWorld, Inc., a venture-backed company that is a world leader in novel autonomous technologies for terrestrial mining. Prior to his current roles, Josh was General Counsel of the aerospace and defense businesses at Alliant Techsystems (“ATK”), a Fortune 500 provider of aerospace, defense, and sporting products. Before ATK, Josh was the General Counsel at Versar, and a Deputy General Counsel at Alion Science and Technology. Josh started his legal career at Baker McKenzie LLP.

    Josh is Chair of the Board of Directors at the Challenger Center for Space Science Education in Washington, DC, a not-for-profit started by the families of the Space Shuttle Challenger Astronauts, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Arthur C. Clarke Foundation.

    Josh is a member of the Board of Advisors of CisLunar Industries, which aims to develop the Space Foundry that will recycle and refine metal space debris into raw materials for use in space.

  • Brad Fowler is a Branch Manager and Vice President at NFM Lending, where he oversees branch operations, drives business growth, and leads a high-performing team dedicated to excellence in mortgage lending. With a proven track record of success in the financial services industry, Brad has built his career on developing strong client relationships, cultivating top talent, and executing strategies that deliver both organizational and community impact.

    In his dual leadership role, Brad is responsible for branch performance, market expansion, and operational efficiency, while also serving as a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex mortgage transactions. His expertise spans strategic planning, compliance oversight, and sales management, enabling him to balance customer satisfaction with business profitability. Brad’s leadership style emphasizes accountability, collaboration, and innovation—qualities that have positioned his branch as a consistent top performer within NFM Lending’s national network.

    Beyond operational leadership, Brad is deeply committed to advancing NFM Lending’s reputation as a premier mortgage lender by championing best practices, strengthening referral partnerships, and leveraging technology to enhance the client experience. His vision is rooted in empowering both his team and his clients, ensuring long-term success through sustainable growth and meaningful community engagement.

    Brad is a Severn School Alumni that resides in Severna Park MD with his wife Amy and three sons, Bo- a Severn School Alumni that currently attends and plays football for Richmond University, Jack and Finn who both currently attend Severn School in Severna Park.

Brad Fowler

Upcoming events

  • Annual Fundraiser

    Date/Time TBD

    We will be holding our annual fundraiser at Chartwell Golf and Country Club in Severna Park.

  • Football Camp

    Description of Camp Activities

    Date/Time TBD

  • Lacrosse Camp

    Description of Camp Activities

    Date/Time TBD