Robert Baker
Robert is the Director of Starbase Arkansas, a premier educational program sponsored by the DoD and powered by Forge Institute. As Director, Robert Leads a diverse team of educators charged with developing and implementing a STEM curriculum to underprivileged youth in Central Arkansas to promote a “Hands-on Minds-on” approach to learning. Robert also coordinates with our military partners to integrate exposure to current DoD technology and careers.
Robert joined the Forge team after successfully completing the Forge Fellowship program while participating in the DoD SkillBridge partnership. Robert leveraged his 20 years of management and leadership experience to the corporate environment within the technology sector.
Prior to joining Forge Institute, Master Sergeant Robert A. Baker retired as Command Manager of Traffic Management Policy on staff at Air Mobility Command (AMC), Scott Air Force Base Illinois. In this role, Robert was responsible for transportation policy oversight for AMC across 10 military bases. In this role Robert planned and directed Transportation Operations for Air Mobility Command's largest Full Spectrum Readiness Exercise to date. Robert led a fourteen member team through cargo movements across three locations garnering him Superior Performer accolades. Robert also represented Traffic Management equities in a Surface Deployment & Distribution Command working group to remove social security numbers from personal property shipments documentation, resulting in protected PII for thousands of service members annually.
Robert enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2002. He has been stationed at multiple state-side and overseas bases as well as deployed to several hostile locations. During his time in service Robert has been assigned as Command Manger, Installation Transportation Officer, Section Chief of Cargo Movement, Section Chief Personal Property and Passenger Travel. Robert was born and raised in East Texas where he met his wife Patricia, they now live in Central Arkansas with their two children.
Key Accomplishments
Bachelors of Science in Social Psychology, Park University
Retired USAF Master Sergeant, Command Manager of Traffic Management Policy, Responsible for transportation oversight at Air Mobility Command
Arkansas Traveler, Designated as a goodwill ambassador for the State of Arkansas
Multiple Awards and Decorations including two Meritorious Service Medals
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Victim Advocate
DoD Trained Resilience Instructor
Forge Fellow & Starbase Arkansas - Director
