About Anton

A Lifetime of Service, Sacrifice and Leadership

Anton Gunn is the oldest son of a public school teacher and Navy veteran, Anton learned the value of public education and the opportunity that a good education grants every child. His parents taught him that leadership is about service to your country and your community. And that the American dream could become a reality for everyone with determination, honesty and hard work. Anton is married to the former Tiffany Johnson who is a realtor with Coldwell Banker in the community. Together the couple has a 3-year-old daughter, Ashley.

"When I look into the eyes of my little girl I see an incredibly bright future, I realize that the next leader of our community must put forth a vision that moves us forward together---a vision that gives every family the chance for a better life and leaves our communities in better shape for our children's future."

Carolina football and the lessons of hard work:

Capitalizing on the lessons from his mother and father, Anton was blessed to play Division I college football. Years of practice in the hot summers taught him that no goal is accomplished without hard work. In 1991 he reached his goal of getting a Full Scholarship to attend the University of South Carolina and join the Gamecock Football program. Everyone who meets Anton recognizes immediately that he played on the front lines. Anton spent his football career in the trenches of the offensive line as a Center and Guard. His career successfully ended in 1995 with the Gamecocks defeating West Virginia in the CarQuest Bowl.

"My years as a Gamecock football player taught me that hard work, commitment and determination could create success. Most importantly, it showed me that when people work together for the common good, as a team, we can accomplish anything. Like politics, the only way to move forward is to agree that we all share the same playbook for South Carolina, that we want the best for our state. So we have to work together, as a team to devise a plan to make our state better. There were many hot summer days that we did not want to go to practice, but the desire to be successful outweighed the concern about the heat. We learned the art of working through things that we did not necessarily want or like to do".

A career fighting for working families and providing a voice for those who have none:

After finishing his college education, Anton became a community organizer, teacher, and public advocate. Anton has been a leader in the fight for working families in our state. His volunteer efforts and professional life have been dedicated to not only improving the lives of people in House District 79, but across South Carolina.

In his role as the Executive Director of South Carolina Fair Share he brought together leaders and organized efforts to promote public policies and reforms that have a positive impact on the communities in South Carolina.

Anton's love of children is evident in his position as an adjunct faculty member of the University of South Carolina and in one of his most cherished roles as a mentor and group home house parent. However, it was his early experience as the communications and community relations associate for the Alliance for South Carolina's Children that displayed one simple truth: Children can not help the circumstances that they are born into. In his role with the Alliance, he lobbied the General Assembly on issues affecting children.

The call to take his public service to our nation's capital was echoing throughout the community. In his efforts to work with low-income families develop strategies for their children to excel in college or career-preparatory programs Anton joined forces with the Center for Community Change in Washington, DC. He was responsible for supervising and coordinating a budget of 1.6 million dollars aimed at preventing high school dropouts in the DC metro public housing developments.

However, it was his love of the people and quality of life that called him back to South Carolina. He returned to the University of South Carolina to pursue a Masters Degree in Social Work. While in graduate school he served as a staff researcher for the Institute for Families in Society and the SC House of Representatives. His research has been instrumental in the development of proactive policies affecting the plight of families and children across South Carolina.

"My life and family are not successful if the plight of those who have no voice do not have an advocate. This is what life is-helping those who need help, speaking for those with no voice, and creating a better community for all of us to live."

Military tragedy and strong family values becomes a mission of public service

In 2000, tragedy struck the Gunn family. Cherone Gunn, Anton's brother was stationed on the USS Cole when al-Qaeda attacked. His brother was among the seventeen who were killed in the attack. Anton's realization that the world was changing and the affect his brother's death had on his family is chronicled in various news outlets, such as the Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, the CBS News and The State. In response to the deadly attack on the USS Cole, Anton has been a vocal speaker regarding the personal effects of terrorism, as well as, the implications and security issues affecting all Americans.

"When talking and thinking about my brother, I realize that most elected leaders just talk about public service. My brother gave the ultimate sacrifice and it helped me realize what the true meaning of public service".

Shared concerns for developing and owning small businesses:

As a real estate investor and owner of Top Gunn Ventures, LLC, Anton recognizes the struggle that small and self-employed business owners fight every day. Issues such as finding quality employees and providing healthcare and meeting payroll expenses affect not only small business owners, but the community. It is because of Anton's business experience that he is aware of the sacrifice that comes when starting and creating a business from scratch. As a result, he has first hand knowledge and real world experience of the issues facing the world's number one employer-small businesses.

"The bedrock of any successful community is not only a good education system, but successful small businesses that can grow into larger businesses and provide individuals with a sense of ownership of the community."

Community achievements and honors:

Anton's professional experience garnered him the recognition as one of the top under-35 community leaders in America in 2006. Across South Carolina and the country Anton is considered to have expertise on the issues of health care policy, community economic development, public education, early childhood education, gang prevention, nonprofit administration, and grassroots advocacy. His list of honors and achievements include:

• 2008 Community Change Champion Award, Center for Community Change
• Consumer Health Advocate of the Year, Families USA, 2007
• Southern Rural Development Initiative, 2006 Honoree
• Alumni of the Year, USC College of Social Work, 2006
• Letterman's Association, USC
• Former Board Member of South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations
• Former Board Member of Association of Social Workers, SC Chapter
• 2001 Faculty Award, USC College of Social Work
• 2001 Student of the Year, National Association of Social Workers
• 2000 Emerging Leader, National Congress for Community Economic Development
• Lifting Voices, National Advisory Committee
• Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development for Columbia, Former Vice Chair
• Letterman, USC Gamecock Football
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
• Founder of USC Athletic Advisory Committee