ABOUT TONY MONETTI
Tony spent over twenty years in decorated military service. He flew a B-52 to destroy infrastructure in Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. He later joined elite airmen handpicked to pilot the then-new B-2 Stealth bomber in global combat operations. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery. Promoted to major, he became the 509th Bomb Wing’s safety chief at Whiteman Air Force Base.
Monetti and his wife, Penny, founded the non-profit organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County, Mo. The group has matched more than 1,000 children with positive role models, and the Monettis participate in the program themselves.
Tony and Penny started a successful Italian restaurant. Firsthand experience gives Tony an invaluable understanding of how government regulations impact small businesses.
Later, answering an Air Force request, Monetti returned to active duty. He served three years as the 13th Bomb Squadron’s operations director.
Ready to retire after honorable decades of service, he accepted the University of Central Missouri’s invitation to serve as assistant dean of aviation. Under his leadership, the program grew by 35 percent and became profitable for the first time in nearly 50 years. He worked with the industry to ensure grads had jobs and encouraged students to look to the amazing example of the Tuskegee Airmen, with whom he built a strong relationship.
An author and a motivational speaker, Monetti shares his fascinating experiences with audiences all over the world. His interactive presentations focus on his life story, motivating listeners to serve others before themselves
