Ms. Karen J. Baker was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in August 7, 2016 and became Regional Programs Director for the North Atlantic Division (NAD), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on April 15, 2019. In this capacity, she is responsible for the development and execution of all military, civil works, environmental, interagency, and international programs in division’s assigned area of operations in New England and mid-Atlantic states east of the Appalachian Mountains, Europe and Africa. Current construction placement exceeds $5.0 billion and is managed by a workforce of over 3,000 civilian employees and service members.
Ms. Baker has more than 25 years combined private industry and Department of Army civilian experience and has served in a variety of leadership positions in strategic planning, energy/environmental policy, and public affairs. Her Army civilian positions have included: Chief, Environmental Programs, USACE (2014-2019); Deputy Director, Contingency Operations, USACE (2013-2014); Executive Director for Strategy and Policy, Military Missions, USACE (2010-2013); Chief, Center for Future Installation Strategies, U.S. Army Installation Management Command (2008- 2010); Chief, Strategy and Plans Division, Strategy and Integration Directorate, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (2007-2008); Senior Fellow for Strategic Policy, Army Environmental Policy Institute (2003-2007); Media Relations Officer, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, Department of Army (2000-2003); Chief of Media and Community Relations, Military District of Washington (1999-2000); and National Outreach Team Leader, Public Affairs Office, U.S. Army Environmental Center (1997-2000).
Ms. Baker is a recipient of the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Superior Civilian Service Award. She was a member of an Army team recognized in 2007 by the White House Closing the Circle Award in the “Sowing the Seeds of Change” category for her role in developing the Army Strategy for the Environment. This strategy has become a foundational document in Army sustainability initiatives. She also served as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representative on the Army Energy Security Task Force, which developed the first comprehensive energy strategy for the Department of Army in 2008.
Ms. Baker holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Maryland (1990), a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Johns Hopkins University (2003), and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College (2010). She is a 2010 graduate of the Defense Leadership and Management Program and a graduate of the Public Affairs Officer Course at the Defense Information School. She also earned a certificate in Public Participation from the International Association of Public Participation. She is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers and has served as the chair of a special SAME Sustainability Task Force (2007-2008), as well as vice chair of the Environmental Committee (2006-2007).