Phil began his industrial career with International Paper Company as a Process Engineer in Mobile, AL. In 1985, he moved to Potlatch Corporation as a Process Engineer at the company’s pulp and paper mill in McGehee, AR. He went on to hold various positions at the mill and in corporate management. In 1997, Phil became Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Potlatch’s Minnesota Pulp and Paper Division and in 1999 was named Senior Vice President with overall operating responsibility for the Division. In 2002 in response to global consolidation in the pulp and paper industry, he oversaw the divestiture of Potlatch’s Minnesota Pulp and Paper Division and retired from his career in industry, moving back to his home state of Arkansas.

In 2003, Phil embarked on a second career as a high school teacher teaching AP Chemistry, Physics, and Physical Science at Huntsville High School in Huntsville. Phil was named a Distinguished Teacher by the United States Commission on Presidential Scholars in 2010, received the Distinguished Secondary Teacher Award from Northwestern University in 2013, was recognized as an Outstanding Mentor by the University of Arkansas Alumni Association in 2013. Also in 2013, he was recognized as a Distinguished High School Mentor by the University of Arkansas Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering. Forty of his students have gone on to engineering programs throughout the country.

Baker and his wife Oteeka live on a cattle farm in Huntsville where they both continue to teach. They have one son, Aidan who lives in Chicago, IL.

Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers, 2020