Tez Ward was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA and raised in Springfield, MO, USA. He completed secondary education at Kickapoo High School in 2007 and joined the US Air Force upon graduation. In the Air Force, Tez served as a “flying crew chief” on the C-130 cargo aircraft, traveling with aircraft on high visibility missions to ensure rapid response and repair capabilities. In 2011, he retrained to become a flight engineer on the KC-10 in-flight refueling aircraft, managing specifications and requirements of flight and monitoring aircraft systems for proper in-flight operations. During his time in the Air Force, Tez completed his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics degree from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
Tez has deployed over 500 days in support of national and global missions, earning a number of awards and distinctions, including being a contributor to award of the Meritorious Unit Award (x2) for his host squadrons and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal (x3), Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal (x3), Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, and the John L. Levitow award for leadership and scholastics.
In 2015, Tez started to pursue private sector career opportunities in finance. He earned an MBA and a Master of Science in Finance degree from Arizona State University and worked as a Private Wealth Summer Associate with Goldman Sachs and a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley. Tez recently served as Director of Financial Stability for Community Partnership of the Ozarks, which overseas financial literacy and community stability efforts in Southwest Missouri prior to operating Simfoni full-time. An avid community servant, Tez formerly held positions at City Utilities of Springfield, MO, served as an advisor on the Springfield Chief of Police’s Advisory Group, served on the board of Springfield-Branson National Airport and currently serves as a Trustee for the Springfield-Greene County Library District Board of Trustees.
