Huntingdon native Major General Tommy H. Baker has been named the interim commissioner for the Dept. of Veterans Services. He replaces former commissioner Courtney Rogers.
“Gen. Baker is a committed public servant and I thank him for his willingness to lead the Dept. of Veterans Services during this critical time for our state,” said the governor.
Gen. Baker previously served as the Deputy Adjutant General of the Tennessee National Guard (TNG) with the responsibility to assist the adjutant general in the oversight and administration of over 13,000 soldiers and airmen in the TNG.
“It’s a great honor to serve such a great organization as veterans,” said Baker. “I appreciate the confidence placed in me by the governor in naming me to this position.”
He enlisted in the state Army National Guard in Huntingdon in 1980 and was commissioned as an armor officer in 1985. He is a graduate of Huntingdon High School, and a 1995 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. He received his Masters Degree in Business Administration and Military Management from Touro University in 2003, and is a 2011 graduate of the United States Army War College with a Masters in Strategic Studies.
He is married to the former Camille Arnold and they have two children, Cody, of Huntingdon, who is the helicopter commander of Jackson’s Company B 230, and Hilliary, who is a kindergarten teacher in Surrey, England, near London. Camille is a consultant with the Office of the Head Start federal program.
Tommy’s parents are Harold and Roberta Baker of Huntingdon.
