Anthony Thornton was born in Fairfield, California. Thornton's professional experience includes working as an aerospace engineer, corporate director of strategy, and corporate ombudsman. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1983 to 1990. Thornton earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1978, a graduate degree from Stanford University in 1980, and a Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1992.