Meet Tony
Tony was born in 1971 to Oliver and Virginia Schmoker at McConnell Airforce Base, Wichita Kansas. His mother was a stay-at-home mom raising 8 children and his father an Air Force Officer. Upon retiring they move the family to Arkansas. At the age of 6, his father took an opportunity to teach at a high school on a Sioux reservation in South Dakota. Over the next 4 years, Tony experienced a unique culture, learning to see life and society from another point of view. His favorite thing about his time on the reservation was attending Pow Wows. Seeing the need in the community, his family became foster parents. They would eventually bring another member into the family and adopt a young boy. Returning to Arkansas, Tony would spend his youth learning many of the skills and values he holds today. He spent his time helping grow much of their food. He enjoyed many of the activities of growing up “county” camping, fishing, and hunting. Tony learned early on that service to others was important in building a strong community. He worked hand in hand with his family running the local Toys for Tots program, which provides Christmas dinner and presents to local families in need. Entering high school Tony became involved with Taekwondo earning his 1st degree black belt. As an assistant instructor, he trained students of all ages to hone their technical skills and instilled honor and self-discipline. During his junior year, at the age of 17, he joined the National Guard beginning his career as a human resource specialist. Following the expectation of the next step after high school he attended Arkansas Tech University. Here he would spend the next year trying to find a career path to no avail. This experience would be a defining factor in the passion he has for his current career, as a career advisor and program manager. Without a clear career path, he left college to work full-time at a Tyson chicken plant. Realizing that the world was bigger than his backyard and a desire to serve his country, he decided to enter active duty in the United States Army.
His first duty station was Bindlach Germany, a small base in Bavaria. He would only spend a short time before being transferred to Vicenza Italy. Here he would develop into his first leadership role as a Non-Commissioned Officer and restart his college education. Balancing his military duties with his college pursuit, over the next few years he would earn an Associate’s in Management, Bachelorettes in Psychology from the University of Maryland University College, and a Master's in Behavioral Science from Cameron University. Tony would serve at many duty stations around the United States and the world. Learning and developing at each location, eventually achieving the rank of First Sergeant. One of the key duties that have been ingrained in him as a Non-Commissioned Officer is taking care of soldiers’ is a primary responsibility. In addition to developing and training them to advance and succeed, it often involved helping them navigate life and dealing with hardships. He would find this role as a leader, mentor, and confidant a challenge to balance. However, these experiences would help shape him into the person he is today. In addition to his personal growth while serving in the military he has developed the technical aspect of his specialty. Developing a thorough understanding and application of regulations and policies. Tony has provided analysis and advice to a multitude of command levels shaping decisions that have had effects on policy and decisions from the local levels to the Army-wide. In his recommendation and analysis, he always keeps the human aspect in mind and how it affects the individual. Tony was assigned to Fort Bliss Texas in 2010 where he met his wife Julia. In 2011 they were married and after serving over 23 years in the military Tony decided to retire. As a result of his dedicated service and outstanding achievement, he has been awarded several military medals including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, 3 Army Commendation Medals, 3 Army Achievement Medals as well as numerous service ribbons.
After retiring from the military in 2011, Tony waited for his wife to finish her military service and took a job as the Assistant Director for Texas Work Force Solution in the El Paso region. Overseeing 5 employment centers, responsible for the administration of assistive benefits, job training, and employment services. During this time, he was exposed to many of the hardships people face in their lives and the role the government played. Once his wife left the service in 2012, they moved to Miami where he started his current career as a Career Exploration Program Manager in the Federal Government. After spending a year enjoying the Miami life, they took an opportunity to move back to Texas. This was perfect timing. Julia is a Native Texan growing up in the Dallas Metro, and her parents still lived in Frisco. It was a happy surprise to them that their daughter would be returning and she would be having their one and only grandson Sawyer. Arriving in 2013 Tony has been responsible for an area of 75 counties in North Texas servicing over 727 high schools. In addition, he is one of 12 Subject Matter Experts for the program and the program liaison to the Texas Education Agency. He provides valuable guidance to Texas youth on planning their future after High School. Using his own experience after high school as the cornerstone for his dedication. Guiding students in selecting and planning their next step. While throwing in the occasional “Dad Joke”. His forward thinking has shaped the program over the years with collaborative changes to regulations, policies, and processes. He continues to perform at the highest level leading his program to exceed its annual goals and being awarded numerous awards for success and achievement. During his time as a Federal Employee, he has been awarded the Civilian Commendation Medal, 2 Civilian Achievement Medals, and has been recognized as a Federal Civilian of the Year.
Tony and Julia continue to be involved in the community and instill those values in their son Sawyer. Tony and Julia have served as delegates for precinct, county, and state conventions You will often see all three working on several candidate campaigns, block walking, and poll greeting. Sawyer likes poll greeting the most. Tony is a member of several organizations including, the National Rifle Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Association of Realtors, and Boy Scouts. Julia works diligently as a current school board trustee and precinct chair ensuring conservative values prevail. Sawyer is a Boy Scout serving the community and learning to be a leader. Sawyer enjoys playing club soccer and just started in the school band playing the trombone.
