Black History Month Spotlight: Tony Walker, Nonproliferation

How do you support NNSA? 

I support the Office of Radiological Security (ORS), helping the countries in sub-Saharan Africa  enhance global security by preventing high-activity radioactive materials from being used in acts of terrorism.

What is your personal background, and how has that shaped you and your approach to your career? 

I am a native Washingtonian from a single-parent home. I saw how my mom supported many kids in the neighborhood, worked in the government for almost 40 years, served her community through organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America, and her local church. Given my background – an Afro American young man from southeast Washington, D.C. – statistics did not favor me to be prosperous. But because I have been blessed with gifts and opportunities, I have a responsibility to positively impact my community and the world while making my mother proud.

What did you study in school and how did it impact you personally and professionally?

I earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a master’s degree in diplomacy. I have worked with NATO and the United Nations and have deployed to numerous crisis areas around the world including Iraq and Afghanistan. I love to explore cultures, community involvement, and to have a positive impact in the world. 

What led you to a career in nuclear security?

I believe it was part of a natural order of things. For over 30 years, I have dedicated my life to national security as part of the war on terrorism. Since I retired from the military in 2017, I have continued to support national security as a contractor for the federal government and the Department of Defense. 

What is the best part about your job?

Being able to travel and to have an impact on developing countries. 

What is your proudest accomplishment while working at NNSA?

Working with ORS’s strategic communications team and seeing the program’s influence expanded from a domestic focus to a global one.

Tell us something interesting about yourself. 

When I was a kid, I wanted to own my own pet store. Now I have two dogs, two cats, a red-eared slider turtle, a bearded dragon, and four beta fish (but those belong to my wife!).

I love to travel and I have have been blessed to visit four marvels of the world – the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, the Colosseum, and Chichen Itza. This summer, I plan to visit Machu Picchu.

Do you have any highlights from your time supporting NNSA? 

I was honored to travel to Accra, Ghana, to conduct an Advance Transportation Security Writing Workshop. The team was very professional and I enjoyed experiencing the culture with our Ghanaian counterparts.

What advice would you have for anyone interested in a career in nuclear security?

Resumes are great, but networking, developing positive relationships, and thinking about how you present yourself will advance your career. 

Who is someone that inspires you and why?

My 104-year-old grandmother continues to inspire me. She still is independent, strong minded, full of wisdom, and God-fearing. 

How do you plan to celebrate/commemorate Black History Month? 

I plan to lead a discussion with young men to understand history as something that we all need to learn from – including the good and the bad – in order to promote a better future.