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Sheila Scanlon
Chair, Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs | Aurora, Colorado
Sheila Scanlon concluded her Marine Corps career as a colonel after more than 30 years of exemplary service. During her time with the Marines, Scanlon was lauded as an accomplished strategic leader and manager with strong organizational and technical skills. She excelled at working with civilians and military personnel to ensure program effectiveness and mission success, creating cohesive relationships among differing entities and varying interests.
Among many high-impact assignments, Scanlon finished her active-duty service with the Marine Corps in 2011 as senior advisor at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan, part of Operation Enduring Freedom. She remained in Afghanistan for two more years, serving as Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan for Gender Integration.
After her military career, Scanlon continued to engage in matters of security and international affairs though various positions in Colorado academics and public institutions, including chief of staff, Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, a position she held from 2020-2023.
Scanlon is currently vice president of the Colorado Chapter of the Women Marines Association and chair, Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs, which is focused on connecting locally with veterans throughout the state to learn about their issues and concerns. She is a specialist and consultant on women, peace, and security.
George Autobee
President/CEO of World Demographic Research, LLC. | Pueblo, Colorado
As the Vietnam War intensified in the late 1960s and public sentiment turned against American involvement, there were still Americans who felt that enlisting in the military was an honorable decision. One of these Americans was George Autobee from Pueblo, Colorado.
After graduating high school, Autobee enlisted in the Marines and served in the 1st Marine Corps Division as a rifleman specializing in 60 mm mortars. He deployed to Vietnam in June 1968 and was wounded twice in combat. His exemplary service was recognized when he was awarded the Purple Heart and later, a Gold Star.
Autobee returned to the United States in May 1969, earned an undergraduate degree in sociology from the currently named Colorado State University – Pueblo, and a Master of Arts in social science, urban and regional planning from the University of Northern Colorado. Autobee’s desire to serve his country remained unabated, however, and he re-enlisted in the military in 1980 as part of the U.S. Army Reserve, where he became a medic.
Following his military service, Autobee has had a successful business career and has been involved in numerous ventures and studies in support of the Hispanic community. Autobee launched his own company, World Demographic Research LLC, serving as president and CEO. The company develops studies on minorities and women-owned business, and economic studies on Hispanic business growth as well as data on the Hispanic consumer marker for Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
Autobee is also a noted author. His books include “The Hispanic Entrepreneurship Training Program” and “Marine Grunt to Medic.” He’s also noted for producing two shows—The Weekly Issue and The Hispanic Chamber Review—that aired across Telemundo’s Spanish-language TV affiliates covering the western part of the United States.