Tona Warneke
Toña Warneke is a seasoned accounts receivable and billing specialist with over 30 years of experience in accounting and office management across diverse industries, including manufacturing, printing, roofing, and the crane sector. Since 2010, she has been a key member of Simmers Crane Design & Service in Ravenna, Ohio, where she manages daily deposits, invoicing, collections, audit support, and other operational accounting tasks. Known for her reliability and meticulous attention to detail, Toña has become an indispensable part of the team, earning a reputation for her dedication and expertise.
Throughout her career, Toña has cultivated a professional philosophy rooted in trust, integrity, and collaboration. She values a positive work environment where colleagues support one another, and she often serves as a mentor and sounding board for her coworkers, helping with everything from career guidance to personal advice. Her approachable nature and willingness to assist others have made her a respected figure in her workplace, where she balances professionalism with genuine care for her team.
Toña holds an Associate’s degree in Business Management and Accounting from ITT Technical Institute and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology from Kaplan University. Always committed to continuous learning, she actively seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge through company resources and professional development programs. Known for her loyalty and work ethic, Toña embodies the principle of doing whatever it takes to get the job done while fostering a supportive and inclusive office culture.
• ITT Technical Institute-Youngstown- Associate's
• Kaplan University- B.A.Sc.
• St. Jude's
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work and the excellent leadership I've had over the years. My previous boss, who was female, was great - she and I became friends when she started working for the company, and we continued that friendship even after she became the boss. We had a good working relationship and knew where to draw the line between work and friendship, so there was no favoritism. She had a lot of personality traits that I admired and that I think a lot more bosses should have. She showed me that bosses can have compassion, and that really meant a lot to me. I also had a boss at Farmore who was male and very good - he'd tell us if we needed a day off, we could use our sick time, but don't call in sick if it's just because we need a mental break. Just tell him 'I need an attitude adjustment day.' I thought that was good because otherwise you're worrying about the employee, but right off the bat, they just need a day, so you won't bother them. I think a lot more bosses need to have that kind of relationship with their employees where they can talk to them openly and say 'hey boss, I need a day.' Now, if I get this manager position, there's a lot of stuff I saw in her that I want to continue. Too many companies are out there focused on money, money, money, and they forget what gets them that money - employees that want to work for you and be loyal to you.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to always stay true to yourself, no matter what role or industry you’re in.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's not easy. You've got to be willing to work until your eyes get blurry because you're looking at numbers all day long. You've got to be able to deal with distractions - people come and knock on your door and ask you questions, and then when they leave, you're like 'oh, where was I?' And you have to enjoy it. If you don't enjoy it, you won't make it. I love numbers. When I was young, I always said I'd either be an accountant, which I'm not an accountant but I'm in accounting, or a schoolteacher. I went the route of accounting, and I love it. I love what I do. If you love what you do, then it's not a job. And if you love what you do, then you don't wake up in the morning going 'oh man, I gotta go to work.' I mean, there are days when I wake up and go 'I don't want to go to work,' but it's just because I'm tired, or I've got so much other stuff I want to do at home, or I want to spend time with the grandkids. But I love what I do.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Collections is the biggest challenge. With the economy the way it is, a lot of companies aren't as fluid in their financial situations as they used to be, and we get a lot of companies that are past due. Trying to deal with them in a professional manner is difficult. As a single mom, I've been on the receiving end of collection calls where they make you feel about an inch tall when you're trying your hardest. So when I call these companies and say 'hey, you've got a past due balance, what can we do? Can you at least pay this much and then make an arrangement to do this much every week?', I've had companies go 'oh, you'll do that?' Well yeah, I would rather get some than none. You've got to treat people how you want to be treated. The biggest obstacle has been the collections aspect of the job. Another challenge is transitioning to new software - sometimes they can be a bit crazy, learning the new ones.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both work and life are trust, truthfulness, and having fun—because if you’re not enjoying what you do, it just feels like a chore.