Tony Hernandez
Debt Relief Expert, Family Man, Lifelong Problem Solver
Tony joined the New Era family in 2005 as a debt settlement negotiator and quickly became one of the most trusted experts in the industry. Over the years, he has negotiated and settled millions of dollars in debt for thousands of Americans seeking alternatives such as consolidation or more extreme measures like bankruptcy. Even after two decades, the heartfelt gratitude he receives from clients continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of his work.
Tony believes trust is earned through transparency, a principle rarely found in the debt‑relief space. From the first conversation to the final settlement, he believes clients deserve honest answers, realistic expectations, and clear communication every step of the way.
Tony believes New Era’s long-standing reputation and exceptional client loyalty aren’t the result of a sales strategy. It’s the result of treating every client as a valued individual, with honesty, respect and compassion. That guiding principle was established by founder Dan Smith more than 25 years ago and continues to shape every client relationship today. It’s a commitment that sets New Era apart in an industry where personal service has become increasingly rare.
Having spent years personally negotiating settlements on behalf of clients before becoming co-owner, Tony understands every aspect of the process from both the client's perspective and the company's. That firsthand experience continues to shape the way he leads New Era today.
A true family man, Tony takes immense pride in the fact that New Era remains family‑owned and operated, with many members of the team having worked together for years. When he isn’t leading his team in helping Americans find financial freedom, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife and children, golfing with friends, and planning his next fishing adventure.
Bankruptcy creates a 7–10 year public record that can delay major life milestones, restrict housing and insurance options, and extend credit stigma. Settlement keeps the process private, avoids court‑mandated asset liquidation, and allows most consumers to begin rebuilding credit within months of completing the program.
A key factor creditors use is emotional leverage. We have found over the decades that debt is extremely stressful for most of our clients, and most creditors, collection agencies, and law firms will use an account holder’s fears against them for an advantage. They know what to say and how to say it to get someone angry or scared, even make you feel ashamed, anything they can do in order to get you to pay.
Of course you can, but the bigger question is whether you should settle your debts on your own. Debt settlement is a legally recognized strategy for resolving unsecured debts for less than the full balance, and consumers are fully allowed to negotiate directly with creditors.
Top 4 Hardships That Push People into the Danger Zone
1) Job Loss
2) Reduction in Pay or Income
3) Medical Emergency
4) Major Home or Auto Repair
Learn more about financial hardship options and how they impact unsecured debt. These hardships often cascade. Lose your car, and you might lose your job. Lose your job, and you can’t pay rent or your mortgage. Stress builds, health declines, and without insurance, medical debt follows.
