Charlie Baker

Charles Duane Baker Jr., born on November 13, 1956, is a prominent American politician and businessperson, currently serving as the sixth president of the National Collegiate Athletic Association since March 1, 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Baker previously held the esteemed position of the 72nd governor of Massachusetts from 2015 to 2023, showcasing his leadership in both the public and private sectors.

Raised in Needham, Massachusetts, Baker pursued higher education at Harvard University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1979, followed by an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. His political career began in 1991 when he was appointed Massachusetts Undersecretary of Health and Human Services under Governor Bill Weld, later advancing to the role of secretary of health and human services.

After eight years in government, Baker transitioned to the private sector, becoming the CEO of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and subsequently Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. His political aspirations led him to run for governor in 2006, where he was unopposed in the Republican primary but ultimately lost the general election to Democratic incumbent Deval Patrick. Undeterred, he made a successful return to the gubernatorial race in 2014, narrowly defeating Democratic nominee Martha Coakley.

In 2018, Baker was reelected with an impressive sixty-seven percent of the vote, marking the largest share in a Massachusetts gubernatorial election since nineteen ninety-four. His popularity was consistently recognized in nonpartisan polls, making him one of the nation's most favored governors. In December 2021, Baker announced he would not seek reelection in 2022, marking the end of an era as he and his Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito became the last Republicans to hold statewide office in Massachusetts.