Tony Loukota
Tony is the Training Manager and Lead Cyber Instructor at Forge Institute. He is committed to the development, implementation, and growth of Forge Institute’s Training Academy programs and provides training and oversight of the instructors, content, and curriculum. Tony joined the Forge Fellowship program in February of 2022, and after his successful completion, he became Forge’s first full-time instructor and curriculum developer.
Prior to joining Forge Institute, Tony served as a United States Marine. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Tactical Data Systems Administrator, where he developed skills in incident response, software and server administration, cyber security, team leadership, and IT project management. During his nine years of service, Tony trained with the 1st Marine Division, 3rd and 4th Marine Aircraft Wings, Air Force Special Operations Command, and was a full-time staff member at the Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School (MCCES). Throughout his military career, Tony served in a variety of roles including Aviation Command & Control Systems Crew Chief, Marine Forces Reserves Inspector & Instructor, Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of training, Chief Information Systems Coordinator, Classified Material & Key Management Infrastructure Custodian, and Public Key Infrastructure Trusted Agent.
While at MCCES, Tony successfully trained 231 entry-level Marines to be Tactical Data Systems Administrators, developed curriculum for three programs of instruction, and managed a team of 7 civilian and military instructors. During that time, he mastered his skills at technical instruction and team development, and ultimately became the Chief Instructor for entry and advanced level Tactical Data Systems Training for the Marine Corps.
Tony is passionate about developing Arkansas’s IT workforce and improving the state’s cybersecurity posture overall. He is highly motivated by success, faces new challenges head-on, and fears only one thing: failure.
Key Accomplishments
Honor Graduate from Marine Corps University Leadership Course
Nominated for MCCES Instructor of the Year 2019 and 2021
Multiple Marine Corps Achievement and Commendation Awards
Fittest Man in Arkansas 2021 CrossFit Virtual Games
Forge Fellow & Forge Academy - Training Manager
