Kelly Baker
About Kelly Baker
Kelly Baker is an experienced professional in engineering and operations management within the power generation sector, currently serving as a Senior Evaluator at the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations. With a strong background in both mechanical and electrical engineering, Baker has held various roles at American Electric Power and has extensive experience in nuclear and fossil-fueled power plant operations.
Work at American Electric Power
Kelly Baker has held multiple positions at American Electric Power (AEP) since 2004. She currently works in Engineering and Operations Management for Power Generation. Her previous roles include Assistant Operations Manager at Mountaineer Plant from 2007 to 2008, Design Engineering Manager for Electrical and Instrumentation & Controls from 2014 to 2018 in Buchanan, MI, and Maintenance Manager from 2018 to 2021 in Benton Harbor, Michigan Area. Additionally, she served as Senior Reactor Operator Candidate at D.C. Cook Nuclear Power Plant from 2010 to 2012 and as Shift Technical Advisor from 2013 to 2014. Baker has also worked in various engineering capacities, including Equipment Reliability Manager and Manager of Plant Engineering.
Education and Expertise
Kelly Baker holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, obtained between 1995 and 1997. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1991 to 1995. Additionally, she completed a graduate program in Nuclear Engineering and Operations at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit in 1998. Baker has expertise in technical documentation, procedure writing, and acceptance testing within power generation. She is also pursuing a senior reactor operator's license from the NRC to enhance her leadership opportunities in the nuclear power sector.
Background
Kelly Baker has a diverse background that includes military service and extensive experience in the energy sector. She served as a Nuclear Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy from 1997 to 2004 and later as an Operations Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 2009 to 2010. Her roles in the Navy provided her with foundational knowledge in nuclear engineering and operations. Baker's career in the energy industry began in 2004 at AEP, where she has since developed a strong focus on both mechanical and electrical/controls engineering in power generation settings.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Kelly Baker has been involved in the safe operations of both nuclear and fossil-fueled power plants. She has significant experience in converting legacy analog controls to digital control systems, utilizing platforms such as Ovation DCS, Invensys Triconex, and ABB Net 90 DCS. Baker has also contributed to the development of engineering teams by managing mechanical and electrical/controls engineers. Her commitment to professional development is evident as she pursues a senior reactor operator's license to further her leadership role in the nuclear power industry.