Our Principal and Founder
                                                                             
Jim Baker is the Founder and Principal of Baker & Company, LLC----a Consulting Firm with practices in a number of functional areas.  Jim received his Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Wharton School in 1982 and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1978.  He also graduated with distinction from Palmer Seminary in 2004 with a Masters in Divinity Degree.  

Jim has established a record of accomplishment during 27 years of corporate, consulting and academic experiences.  Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to successfully complete complex and extremely challenging projects.  He has led international initiatives, found ways to save millions by developing ways to streamline operations, implemented business relations and diversity programs, utilized bi-partisan relationships to save an importer, led successful fundraising efforts for candidates thought to be long shots, directed over 1,500 citizens to assistance through the Drug Free Campaign, served as an Adjunct Faculty Member in Marketing at the Wharton School, developed corporate strategy as one of the youngest marketing executives in a Fortune 500 Company, and negotiated new relationships with major companies fresh out of undergraduate school.    

Mr. Baker is committed to service and provides leadership in a number of arenas in the Philadelphia area.  He is Chair of the Mayor’s Drug and Alcohol Commission, a member of the Hospital and Higher Education Facilities Authority and a member of the West Philadelphia Community Trust Board. He is also on the Board of Directors of Philadelphia Mental Health Care Corporation, Eagleville Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, The Center for Human Advancement and the Philadelphia Annual Conference Trustees.  Jim is an Ordained Elder in the AME Church and was appointed by Bishop Norris in 2008 to lead the revitalization of one of Philadelphia’s major churches. 

Jim has received numerous awards, including being the recipient of the West Philadelphia Partnership Community Service, the William H. Gray Clergy Leadership and the Umoja Altruism Awards; selected by President Clinton to attend The White House Leadership Conference on Youth, Drug Use and Violence; cited by Philadelphia City Council; and named to the United States Democratic Senate African American Leaders Group, a WDAS Outstanding Community Leader, one of 100 Men Making a Difference in 1993, a member of the 1986 Class of Outstanding Young Men of America and a Johnson and Johnson Leadership Fellow in 1980.

A Team of Professionals

Baker & Company, LLC  employs a team of seasoned professionals that bring a passion for excellence and a desire to exceed client expectations to each engagement.  We also work in collaboration with other firms and consultants to meet the challenges posed by our clients.  Our team members include:

Mr. Michael Tucker is a Senior Consultant with the firm.  He brings extensive experience in providing community and business relations services for clients, having led the firm’s work for SEPTA as their business relations representative for this major transportation project.  Mr. Tucker’s experience in this engagement provides him with a unique skill set that includes an in depth understanding of construction methods and an ability to communicate the issues associated with construction projects to residents, business owners and others in a manner that enhances client public and community relations.  Mike is a can do professional whose operations experiences provide him with the drive to complete complex assignments on time and on budget.  Mike has a Bachelors Degree from Central State University and a wealth of corporate experience gained through his work at Johnson and Johnson and Federal Express. He is a respected community leader who serves on the Board of Carroll Park Community Council.

Mrs. Carol Smith is a Senior Consultant with the firm.  She brings extensive experience in providing a range of consulting services across disciplines and industries.   Carol’s work for the firm has focused on assisting small businesses to grow and develop and engaging communities on behalf our clients.  Carol leads our marketing and public relations practice area, where her thoroughness and attention to detail assures those we serve that no detail will be overlooked as we work to meet their corporate or organizational objectives.  Carol also brings a wealth of experience in helping citizens realize their dreams through workforce development programming.  Carol is a Drexel University Alum, with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing. 

Ms. Keena Cravison is a Consultant with the firm.  Through her work with the firm, Ms. Cravison has developed particular expertise in providing community relations services for our clients.  Importantly, Keena’s creative skills are an invaluable asset to the firm and those engagements on which she works.  Her determination to exceed expectations drives her to develop “out of the box” solutions to community relations issues that have earned the respect of those we serve.  Ms. Cravison has a Bachelors Degree in Communications from Morgan State University and heads up our “Creative Think Tank.”

Mr. Jeffrey Smith is a Consultant with the firm whose specialty is Diversity Program Execution and Information Technology.   Mr. Smith brings extensive knowledge of the construction industry and in the carrying out of Economic Opportunity Programs (EOPs).  Jeffrey is also leading our efforts to develop an Information Technology Practice.  

Mr. Charles Wynne is a Consultant with the firm whose specialty is Community Relations, Business Development and Diversity Program Execution.  He has particular expertise in dealing with the church community and is leading a new effort to provide services to this important segment of our society.