Holder and President Tommy Baker
Tommy Baker was born in Charleston, South Carolina, close to the banks of the Wando and Cooper Rivers and the historic Charleston peninsula. He attended Moultrie High School, and after distinguishing himself on the baseball fields and the dance floors of the Lowcountry, graduated in 1964. Motivated by a desire to serve his country and the patriotism of many past generations of Charlestonians, Tommy enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after graduation. His service took him far from Charleston, to Okinawa in Japan and eventually back home in one thousand nine hundred sixty eight where he enrolled at The Citadel, South Carolina`s preeminent Military College.
Tommy`s pursuit of education did not simply stop after leaving the Citadel in 1972. In one thousand nine hundred eighty eight he was accepted into Harvard Business School`s off the hook Proprietor/President Management Program, an intensive three-year probe of business models and executive education. In 1995, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the University of Charleston.
After spending twenty five years as an automobile dealer across the South, Tommy felt it was time to comeback to his very first love, Charleston. Combining his extensive practice with acute business savvy and his one-of-a-kind amicable personality, Tommy founded Baker Motor Company in 1988. After staring out on Morrison Drive in Downtown Charleston with a single dealership, Tommy has since expanded Baker Motor Company to now include Mercedes Benz, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Porsche, Sprinter, Land Rover, Infiniti, Jaguar, clever Car, Maserati, and a luxury Pre-Owned Center on its main campus on Savannah Highway. Latest additions to his line-up include a 2nd point Mercedes-Benz store east of the Cooper Sea, Mercedes-Benz of Mt. Pleasant, and Baker Buick GMC Cadillac on Savannah Highway.
Baker has always prioritized providing back to the Charleston community. He has served as past chair of the MUSC Children`s Hospital, the College of Charleston School of Business, YEScarolina and the Free Enterprise Foundation, a research institution that works in harmony with The Citadel, The College of Charleston and the Medical University. In 2008, Baker Motor Company received the Award for Outstanding Corporation from the Association of Fundraising Professionals South Carolina Lowcountry Chapter. This award honors a corporation or its corporate foundation that demonstrates outstanding commitment through financial support and through encouragement and motivation of others to take leadership roles toward philanthropy and community involvement.
Out of all the awards and accolades Baker Motor Company has received over the years, Mr. Baker is most proud of being named one of Automotive News` Top one hundred Best Dealerships to Work For in two thousand thirteen & 2014. In 2014, the dealership was named the #1 large dealership in the country on that prestigious list.
Presently, Tommy serves on the board of directors for the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Southcoast Bank board, YEScarolina board, the Board of Governors for the College of Charleston. Professionally, he has served as Chairman for the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Board and the Advisory Dealer Board for Infiniti. Beyond his many charitable endeavors, Mr. Baker retired as a professor in May two thousand thirteen from the College of Charleston, where he instructed a senior level entrepreneurial class for twenty two years.
Tommy presently resides on Sullivan`s Island, SC with his wifey, Vickie, of thirty two years. They have three grown children, Cassie, Katie & Harrison, two grandchildren, Baker & Jay with two on the way in September. He is an avid runner, and most recently took up the challenging sport of spanking paddle boarding. Tommy also likes time on his yacht and spending as much time as possible with his family and friends.