Former Middle Tennessee Electric President Jim Baker passed away at his home in Lascassas on April 11 at the age of 77, following a brief illness. Baker retired in 2003, having served the members of the Murfreesboro-based cooperative for 43 years, including 23 years as president.
“It is a sad day for Team MTEMC,” MTEMC President and CEO Chris Jones, said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Baker’s daughter, Connie; his son, Mark; and all of the family.
“Mr. Baker’s leadership helped build one of the nation’s strongest electric systems to serve the members of Middle Tennessee Electric, and our cooperative continues to benefit as a result. His reputation in the electric industry was at a national level, and that was highlighted by his service as President of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Board from 1997-98.”
An engineering graduate of Vanderbilt University, Baker started his career at MTEMC as an electrical engineer in 1960. In addition to his involvement with NRECA, he was also active in the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association, and the Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association.
Baker also served locally as chairman of the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board, where he remained involved until his passing.
Visitation will be today from 3-8 p.m. at North Boulevard Church of Christ in Murfreesboro. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, with burial services following at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Nashville.
