Born in Glendale, California, Tony attended Sacramento area schools and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the California State University, Sacramento. He served the Senate in security and service since 1968 and was elected as Chief Sergeant-at-Arms in 1979.
Beard attended the United States Secret Service Dignitary Protection Training, in Washington DC, and the California Highway Patrol Protection of Public Officials Training, in Los Angeles, California. He was a member and former President of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, an associate member of Bomb Technicians and Investigators and an associate member of the Sacramento Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team. Beard served as Past President of the National Legislative Services and Security Association and was an Executive Committee member of the National Conference of State Legislatures. He was also Staff Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures Homeland Security Committee and an Advisory Board member of the University of Southern California.
Tony Beard, Jr. served as Chief Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate from 1980 to 2014.