Chip Baker
› Office: Hamilton County
Commission, District 2
› Party: Republican
› Previous public office experience: Served on Hamilton County Board of Education for 12 years, three as chairman
› Why voters should choose me: I believe voters will choose me because of my leadership, dedication and experience. I have a 20-year career as a hospital administrator, 19 years in event management, four years as a mentor for Tennessee Achieves and 12 years on the Hamilton County Board of Education. Over the past 26 years in Hamilton County, I have developed strong relationships with city, county, state and national government officials and have the ability to hit the ground running as your county commissioner.
› Biggest challenge facing the office I seek: There are numerous challenges in Hamilton County, with one of the larger ones being workforce development. With 66 percent of the county’s budget going to education, and many organizations focused on this challenge, I believe there should be a comprehensive strategic plan. One year ago, a group of community leaders developed a plan called the Budget Work Group (BWG). This study offers the most comprehensive plan at developing strategic initiatives aimed at education and workforce development.
› How I will address this challenge: I believe Hamilton County is consistently a leading example of good government. When elected, I will use my business background and political experience toward improving our workforce. As a member of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and downtown Rotary Club, former school board member, and business person, I have the skills, knowledge and experience to build on these relationships to bring people, of all backgrounds, together to facilitate the change that is needed to address this challenge.
› Policy position of mine that may surprise people: I do not believe there is a policy position that I have that would surprise anyone. I am a business person who has managed multimillion-dollar organizations. Management is getting business done through people, and that is what my experience is. I am very much a team player.
› Public servant I most admire: There are so many, but first I would have to say my wife’s father, a no-nonsense Texas state legislator. Next would have to be my wife, Karlette, who always looks at the big picture and uses brilliant common sense and logic. Locally, I have seen U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann quickly and efficiently get results. I have admired the work Sen. Bob Corker has accomplished, both as mayor and U.S. senator. Former County Mayor Claude Ramsey and current Mayor Jim Coppinger have been excellent leaders of Hamilton County. Our local state delegation is amazing and has helped in so many ways. Patsy Hazlewood is my representative and is easily accessible and very effective. Gerald McCormick is a friend and, once again, very effective. I also have good working relationships with Sens. Bo Watson and Todd Gardenhire, and Reps. Mike Carter and Marc Gravitt.
› Campaign office: 428 McCallie,
Chattanooga, TN 37402
› Campaign phone: 423-322-5774
› Campaign email: chipbaker58@gmail.com
› Campaign website:
chipbakercommission.com
› Campaign Facebook: Chip Baker
Commission
› Campaign Twitter: n/a
› Campaign Instagram: n/a
PERSONAL
› Age: 60
› Occupation: Friends of the Festival event management
› Education: Bachelor of arts (biology), the College of Wooster; master of health administration, The George Washington University.
› Family: Wife, Karlette; sons, Shea, Skyler, Sullivan; daughter, Sophie. Our children graduated from Hamilton County schools.
› Residence city: Signal Mountain
› Church/civic involvement: Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church; Goodwill; Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau; Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce; Downtown Rotary Club; International Festival and Events World Board member; Children’s Advocacy Center; Ronald McDonald House; Make a Wish Foundation; Leadership Chattanooga; American College of Healthcare Executives; Craniofacial Foundation of America; TN Achieves mentor; Children’s Hospital Foundation
› Quote or saying I live by: The character of a person is judged by how you treat someone who has nothing to do with you.