Health Care: ANTHONY ‘TONY’ BAKER

The leading Virginia executive of Fortune 500 pharma manufacturer Merck & Co., Baker has been with the business for 14 years.

Merck develops medicines to treat diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and vaccines to protect people from human papillomavirus and chickenpox. The company brought in $48.7 billion in sales last year and developed an oral treatment for COVID-19.

In May, Baker took on a new role as executive director of engineering and technical operations lead at the company’s Elkton plant, where he oversees about 300 scientists, engineers and professionals who support manufacturing operations, validation and process development. Before that, he managed vaccine operations.

Baker earned an MBA in executive leadership from James Madison University in 2019 and holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and philosophy from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania.

HOBBY/PASSION: Woodworking and DIY

WHAT MAKES ME PASSIONATE ABOUT MY WORK: Saving lives and preventing serious disease like HPV-related cancers

WHAT I WAS LIKE IN HIGH SCHOOL: Total dork — speech and debate, Model Congress and drama club

BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Rye Manhattan up

FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Fiji