Jean Baker
External Affairs Officer, Region V
Jean Baker joined Region V of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in January 2006. She is the principal advisor to the regional administrator on matters involving the Congress, media and the public at large in the states the region serves: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
Ms. Baker manages congressional, intergovernmental and public affairs, as well as other communication teams. She is responsible for conveying public information about all-hazards emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. During major disasters, she is responsible for deploying public information officers and providing the accurate, coordinated and timely release of information to varied audiences.
She has performed during numerous federal disasters, including two of the nation's largest wildfires (Arizona in 2002 and California in 2003), the 2003 San Simeon Earthquake, 2004 Florida Hurricanes, 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, typhoons, tornadoes, floods and others. She has participated in numerous exercises, including 2003 Determined Promise, TOPOFF 3 and Ardent Sentry.
Prior to joining Region V, Ms. Baker served in a similar capacity in Region IX, from May 2002 to December 2005. She began her federal career in the Office of Public Affairs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she worked in the Public Information and Education section. From 1986 to 2000, she was the chief executive officer of a public relations and advertising agency in Chicago, which specialized in issues management and crisis communication.
Ms. Baker is the recipient of many national and international awards, including the Publicity Club of Chicago (PCC) Golden Trumpet Award. She also served on the PCC board of directors. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America. Raised in Chicago, she holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Roosevelt University.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 24-Oct-2007 08:11:43 EDT