Jerry Baker – A Seasoned Leader and Mentor

If you don’t already know Jerry Baker, CEO Mentor at Building Champions, you have been missing out! With a career that spans industries, states, and a few twists and turns, he’s the kind of mentor who not only understands what you're going through but has probably been there, done that, and written an eBook about it.

Jerry’s journey started in the management trenches at Ford Motor Company before moving to Northrop Corporation. Then, in his mid-twenties, he found himself working under none other than Ronald Reagan. And here's where the fun begins. Imagine being a young professional, suddenly tasked to speak in front of a thousand people in Barstow, California, about the state of the economy. Jerry’s reaction? “It’s Barstow, how bad could it be?” Turns out, pretty… “interesting”! But after a few hundred more speaking engagements, he got the hang of it!

After his stint in government, Jerry moved into the financial sector, landing at First Horizon National Corporation. There, he wore every hat you can imagine—CEO, President, Board Member, probably even Chief Coffee Maker on tough days. Under his leadership, the company experienced nearly a decade of double-digit growth. He had to steer the ship through some rough economic waters, which makes him the perfect advisor for those days when the market seems determined to throw you a curveball.

Jerry’s favorite piece of advice? “Have a plan, set your goals high, and work hard to execute it—but for heaven’s sake, be ready to adapt when things go sideways.” It’s wisdom like this that he brings to Building Champions, where he helps leaders align their personal and professional goals, and maybe even thrive in times of economic uncertainty.

If you’re curious about his leadership philosophy, check out his free eBook, “Leadership Lessons From the Ground Up.” It’s packed with the kind of practical wisdom you’d expect from a guy who’s seen it all, done it all, and somehow managed to keep his sense of humor and humility intact​.

To hear more of Jerry’s story, check out our episode of Lessons From Last Time: Jerry Baker on Setting the Bar High and Reaching New Heights.