J. Alan Baker joined the American Public Health Association in October 2003 as chief of staff after working at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for 24 years. At the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Alan had a varied career, including staff specialist for medical day care, assistant to the Medicaid policy director, chief budget analyst, chief of management analysis, executive assistant to the secretary, deputy director of the Local and Family Health Administration and health officer. His last position was as director of personnel and the lead collective bargaining negotiator for the department. Significant public health accomplishments include developing a primary care program for indigents and developing the first governor's cancer initiative, including the first media campaign against tobacco in Maryland. He also mobilized support for gun control and was the first to testify on the issue for the department. At APHA, Alan hopes to increase the visibility of APHA as the preeminent public health organization in the world. Alan is married, has one daughter and resides in suburban Maryland.