Nicholas Baker | 32
Sales Executive, Facet Technologies;
Owner of British Automotive Specialists
Nick Baker began his career in the Peoria area as the operations and dispatch manager for Federal Companies. Ultimately, he was promoted to corporate operations manager overseeing all locations within Federal before becoming interim general manager of the St. Louis market. He returned to Peoria to work as director of safety at Federal Companies. After completing his MBA at Bradley University, he accepted a position as a sales executive at Facet Technologies. He teaches part-time at Illinois Central College, and also is the owner of British Automotive Specialists.
An Eagle Scout, Nicholas remains active in the local scouting community. Meanwhile, he has been active in his West Peoria Residents Association, while also serving on that community’s Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. He volunteered, as well, on the Peoria City/County Health Department COVID vaccination task force, working to ensure that at-risk populations in Peoria had access to vaccines. His community involvement extends to the board of Peoria Promise and the Peoria Rotary and Peoria Boat clubs.
Youthful ambitions: “As a child, I was always fascinated with airplanes and Army men. Certainly, part of me has always wanted to be a naval aviator. I received undergraduate degrees from Southern Illinois University and Lewis University in aviation management.”
Hobbies: “I think most people who know me would cite my love of restoring and repairing classic British automobiles. Since about 8 years old, I can remember working with my dad on his Triumph Spitfire … Some of my friends may even remember when I taught myself how to drive in that car at the same age … I’m not sure if I ever apologized to the neighbor for destroying his front yard. .. I have owned nearly a hundred different cars that I’ve restored or repaired … My current project is restoring a retired 1962 Austin Healy race car …”
Bucket list: “I would like to plan an Arctic trek across the desolate and alluring South Pole … As a proper adventure goes, if there is no risk of death, it’s certainly not worth doing.”
My biggest focus in the non-profit sector is the Peoria Promise Foundation
Favorite cause: “As a lifelong resident, one of my strongest focuses is on the City of West Peoria and its future. It’s a great place to live for nearly 4,500 residents … My biggest focus in the non-profit sector is the Peoria Promise Foundation … The foundation has reimbursed over 4,600 students since its inception in 2008; 47% have been the first in their family to attend college and 91% of recipients still live in the Peoria area. As a graduate of Peoria Public School District 150 in 2008, I was privileged to be in the first class of students to use the foundation.”
