Summary: Dennis O. Baker, CDR, USN, (ret) Commander Dennis O. Baker, United States Navy (ret), has been recently appointed as President, Florida Veterans Foundation. Commander Baker was first recruited by Major John Haynes, Chairman Emeritus, FL Veterans HOF Inductee, and Governor’s Medal of Merit, to work with FVF in July of 2015 in the completion of the Medal of Honor Brick Memorial program. He completed the Medal of Honor Memorial in October of 2016. His duties at FVF are fundraising and staff operations. FVF is a Direct Support Organization of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. During his time at the foundation as the Special Projects Coordinator he penned, received, and executed a $1.25Mil Grant from Attorney General Pam Bondi. The grant served at the precipice of serving Florida Veterans in financial need on levels far an above any before. Additionally, the grant provided for the health, education, and welfare of Veterans in Florida. Dennis was born in Newburgh, NY and graduated from Delaware Valley Central School in 1970 and then enlisted in the Navy as a Seaman Recruit. In 1980 he was selected as the East Coast Sailor of the Year for Tactical Wings Atlantic Fleet. He earned the Enlisted Air Warfare Designation. The following year he was commissioned as an Ensign Aviation Maintenance Officer. He served 28 years retiring as a Commander. During his time in the Navy he was awarded three Navy Achievement Medals, Three Navy Commendation Medals and Two Meritorious Service Medals for his leadership in support of airpower missions ranging from Persian Gulf Earnest Will Missions to Middle Eastern conflicts. He was recruited as the Senior Vice President of National Aviation Academy in Clearwater, FL. Following that he served as the Executive Vice President of First Coast Technical College and then was hand-picked to be the Director of Flagler College, Tallahassee serving under Representative Dr. William L. Proctor, 2016 Florida Hall of Fame Inductee. Commander Baker served as a passionate advocate for postsecondary education, and volunteered for many other civic and military organizations in the Tallahassee area. He is frequently asked to speak at public events and most recently co-spoke with Bobby Bowden at a Commitment to Character dinner for a fundraiser. He is a screenwriter and author most notably for “Restless Hearts, What if Fallen Heroes Could Go Home?” It has earned distinction in the Military Writers Society of America with the Silver Award, and Vietnam Veterans of America, and is in discussion with HBO to make his book a series.Restless_Hearts_What_If_Fallen_Heroes_Could_Go_Home.mp3
