Richard A. Baker (businessman)

Richard A. Baker
Born November 27, 1965
Ethnicity Jewish
Citizenship United States
Education B.A. Cornell University
Occupation businessman
Known for CEO of the Hudson’s Bay Company
Religion Judaism
Spouse(s) Lisa M. Burrell
Parent(s) Betty Sue Grossman
Robert C. Baker

Richard Baker (November 27, 1965)[1] is an American businessman. He is the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Hudson’s Bay Company. The Company operates Lord & Taylor, and Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States and Hudson's Bay, Home Outfitters, in Canada.[2]

Early Life and Education

He grew up in a Jewish family[3] in Greenwich, Connecticut, the son of Betty Sue (née Grossman)[4][5] and Robert C. Baker, the founder of National Realty Development Corp., one of the largest private owners of shopping centers in the United States.[6] His sister is Lauren Stella Baker Richman.[7] He graduated from the Brunswick School and then went on to receive his undergraduate degree from Cornell University where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.[6]

Career

He began his career in real estate, working with his father. In 2006, he purchased Lord & Taylor, America’s longest continually operating department store, from Federated Department Stores borrowing to finance nearly all of the deal.[6] He has served as Chairman of Lord & Taylor since 2006.[6] In 2008, he bought the Hudson’s Bay Company, one of North America’s oldest companies, again borrowing to finance nearly all of the deal,[6] for which he also acts as the Chief Executive Officer. In 2012, the Hudson’s Bay Company went public and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.[6]

He is the non-executive chairman of the Retail Opportunity Investments Corporation, a real estate investment trust listed on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange that focuses on retail properties located on the east and westcoasts of the United States.[8] He sits on the Advisory Board of the Cornell University School of Hotel Management.[9] He is the namesake benefactor and sits on the Advisory Board of the Baker Program in Real Estate - an elite two-year graduate program in real estate at Cornell University.[10]

Personal life

He is married to Lisa Burrell.[11] They have three children: Henry, Jack, and Serena.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Globe and Mail: "Richard Baker: A balancing act in choppy retail waters" by Marina Strauss March 9, 2012
  2. ↑ Hudson's Bay Company About Us: "Richard Baker" retrieved September 13, 2014
  3. ↑ Jerusalem Post: "Grapevine: The Netanya connection" by GREER FAY CASHMAN December 19, 2013
  4. ↑ New York Times: "Loomis J. Grossman, Developer, Dies at 85" March 8, 1989
  5. ↑ New York Times: "Paid Notice: Deaths GORDON, BETTY LOU BAKER July 6, 1998
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 New York Times: "The Prince of Lord & Taylor" By STEPHANIE CLIFFORD and PETER LATTMAN May 7, 2011
  7. ↑ New York Times: "Lauren Stella Baker Weds Robert Richman, a Writer" June 15, 1986
  8. ↑ http://quotes.wsj.com/ROIC/company-people?mod=2_0466&symbol=ROICW&news-symbol=ROIC
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Cornell University School of Hotel Administration: "Richard A. Baker '88 - Governor & CEO Hudson's Bay Company retrieved September 13, 2014
  10. ↑ http://baker.realestate.cornell.edu
  11. ↑ New York Times: "ENGAGEMENTS; Lisa M. Burrell, Richard A. Baker July 18, 1993

External links