ANN ARBOR ? Gary E. Baker, the co-host of the Internet Advisor radio program on WJR 760AM, has been named Vice President IT Delivery Services for Borders Group, a newly created position.
In his new position, Baker is responsible for the development and execution of IT strategic processes related to the delivery of technology as well as leading teams to ensure that business goals are met through delivery of necessary IT products and services, among other duties. The position reports to Borders Group Chief Information Officer Susan Harwood.
Before he worked at turnaround specialist AlixPartners, where he served as
director of IT Transformation Services. Before that, Baker worked at EDS in Detroit for five years, where he was Managing Director and Process Executive-General Motors Global Purchasing and Supply Chain and Global Business Services. He also was a Partner in the Advanced Technology Group for Arthur Andersen LLP in Detroit for three years.
Prior to that, he founded and was CEO of Online Technologies Corporation in Ann Arbor, an organization he started while he served as Chief Executive Officer of Baker Investment Group in Ann Arbor, a company he started and led from 1980 through 1997.
?Gary is recognized within the IT community as a seasoned leader with wide ranging experience marked by work with leading consultancies,? said Harwood. ?We look forward to his leadership and contributions toward achieving our strategic goals.”
Baker, in an email, said it was a tough decision to leave AlixPartners, however, it was time for him to make a change and reduce his almost 100 percent travel schedule.
?As I completed my involvement on my latest large project rescue (in Houston), I traded my 1,104-mile commute for a four-mile commute,? he said. ?I have a great opportunity to work in Ann Arbor at Borders headquarters in a newly created position, VP of IT Delivery Services. We are reorganizing the IT department and I am joining a fairly new team of leaders to help re-energize a great brand.?
Baker earned an MBA in 1986 and a bachelor?s degree in 1976, both from the University of Michigan, where he also served as an adjunct professor in 1990.
He is on the Board of Directors of University Bancorp, Inc. and the Economic Alliance for Michigan. Baker is a past member of the IT Executive Forum Advisory Council for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, a past Board member of Digital Detroit, and also served as Chairman of the IT Business Roundtable for the State of Michigan among many affiliations throughout his career.
Borders Group is a $4.1 billion global retailer of books, music, movies, periodicals, and gift and stationery items. Through its subsidiaries, Borders Group employs more than 30,000 and operates over 1,100 stores worldwide primarily under the Borders and Waldenbooks brand names.
For more information, click on BordersGroupInc.Com
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