About Me

A Learning Focus

There are a handful of attributes that Tony looks for in himself and in others. He wants all things to be done with integrity, thus replacing many “would be decisions” with predetermined outcomes. He tries to maintain a level of transparency that keeps both he, and his actions out of the shadows. Over the years he has maintained a focus on learning and growth that drives improvement. Tony strives to make a difference by preparing and challenging others to reach beyond their current thresholds of knowledge. Encouraging and nurturing creativity in himself and others gives him great satisfaction. He deems himself a success if he helps those with which he works to be successful.

Personal Background

Tony has an eclectic background that brings a wide array of skills and talents to the table. He started out in 1972 as an Art Education major, having been raised by an artist mother who exposed him to fine and graphic arts. Some earliest memories are of the screen printing projects that took place in his garage. After two years of college, Tony took a leave to serve a two year mission for the LDS church. After his mission, he married Rosezanna, to whom he has been married for forty three years. They raised six children, and now have twenty eight grandchildren to spoil. Tony continues his interest in screen printing in his home based shop.

Professional Background

In 1980 Tony apprenticed as a Tool & Die Maker. He initially worked in a series of job shops, but the last thirty one years have been split between two employers; twenty years with Magnetics in Booneville Arkansas, and the last eleven at Cloyes Gear & Products in Paris Arkansas. Within those two companies, he has gained a wealth of experience. Many, related to, but not limited to his chosen trade.

Tony’s years at Magnetics saw him progress from Tool & Die Technician, to lead man, to Department Supervisor. For five years, he returned to college and completed a Bachelors Degree in Business Management. In the late 1990s Tony was tapped to be trained in Kaizen facilitation, and participated in or facilitated dozens of improvement activities as the plant embraced and implemented Lean Manufacturing under the coaching of Yomo Consulting. Tony was eventually promoted to the position of Production Systems Manager with responsibility for all improvement and lean manufacturing efforts, as well as direct supervision of the scheduling department.

In 2005, Tony accepted a position with Cloyes Gear and Products. He was initially hired to stabilize and develop a system for the production and staging of tooling for the Powder Metal Press department. After two years in that position, he was promoted to the role of Corporate Production Systems Manager and given the additional responsibilities of Environmental Manager. Those roles turned out to be long term learning experiences for Tony.

Tony served as the Corporate Continuous Improvement and Leadership Development coach. He worked closely with Plant Managers and others in leadership training and development, team based improvement, and implementing Toyota KATA. He reported directly to the Vice President of Quality. In addition to those responsibilities, Tony has served as the Environmental Manager for the company, ensuring that regulatory and internal requirements are met while developing the Environmental Management System.

Tony will graduate June 2021 with an MEd. in Educational Technologies.