Arnold Baker

After developing, owning and managing several concrete, aggregate and construction holdings along the Gulf Coast, Arnold Baker became a serial entrepreneur and philanthropist. While the Chairman of the Board of the Port of New Orleans, he came to realize that jobs in the maritime, off shore oil & gas exploration, renewable & alternative energy, and military & space technology sectors are highly sought after due to their above average pay and market longevity.

Wanting to make difference and lead by example, Arnold Baker formed Black Marlin Marine offering state-of-the-art, large PSVs and FSVs to its customer base and working every day to grow the Company to its national base while maintaining its roots in the minority community and complimenting the optics and the visioning commitments of Urban Solutions.

International Trade, Transportation and logistics have always been a passion of Mr. Baker’s, as noted by his serving a ten year commission on the board of the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. On such, he was able to associate, assimilate and collaborate with equally experienced peers to collectively implement strategies to turn the million dollar a year loss entity with aging infrastructure into a profitable, safety award winning, regional economic engine & marvel of the industry.

Arnold was then asked to serve on a State Airport Commission established to advise the Governor as to the most viable location and strategy for a new or rebuilt International Airport. Tasked with assessing current and proposed competing airport sites, reviewing volumes of research and funding options, this Logistics Industry Swat Team ultimately made a recommendation to the Governor that expanding the existing airport was the most cost, time and permit effective strategy. A program was then developed that paved the way for billions in regional advancing infrastructure additions.

Expounding on his logistics and infrastructure experiences, Baker received a Gubernatorial appointment as a Commissioner and eventual Chairman of the Port of New Orleans. At the onset, Arnold made a commitment to be as aggressive on redeveloping and expanding the port’s infrastructure, operational efficiency, economic impact and global prominence as he had been on increasing small and minority business inclusion and economic impact to the region and nation. This included leading and supporting a host of economic strategies ranging from local, minority and women business contracting and professional service initiatives, to a national program increasing the sheer volume of small, local, woman and minority business contracts with Ports across the country. This included initiating processes supporting the development of a multiple of infrastructure projects and privatization models including the new proposed ten figure container terminal expansion ship yard redevelopments.

Arnold was raised on military bases and primarily attended military primary schools as his family relocated throughout Europe and the United States. He then attended Texas State University on a football scholarship before graduating with All American Honors. After graduation he entered into a developmental training program with the nation’s largest regional mall developer. Developing a niche for redeveloping aging malls, he began an industry award winning “turn around” mall career. His tenure started with Simon Development Group but also included overseeing properties controlled by Homart Development Group and General Growth Properties, Inc.

Wanting to make a greater socioeconomic impact on historically underutilized communities, Baker accepted an invitation to join the New Orleans Mayor's Executive Cabinet managing Small & Emerging Business Development before becoming Assistant to the Mayor over Policy, Planning and Development. While also serving on the City’s economic lobbying team, he managed and facilitated in excess of $2 Billion in development projects ranging from the New Orleans Sports Arena and Ritz Carlton Hotel, to an amusement park and convention center expansion.

Arnold departed the Mayor’s Cabinet to join his brother in a host of successful business startups that included Centergy Development Group, a federal construction project development consultancy; JAM Development group, a hotel owner and development team and Baker Ready Mix, a four plant, 50 truck New Orleans based concrete production company.

He also co-founded the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce as a facet of his commitment to foster black entrepreneurism, and eventually received the honor of being elected to Chairman of the Washington, DC based National Black Chamber of Commerce. Baker also served on a host of other committees and nonprofits including the Regional Loan Commission, the US Chamber of Commerce, The New Orleans Start Up Fund, POWERMOVESNOLA Fund, and the Board of Trade.