Mr. Baker has a proven track record of success in both the public and private sector that he believes will allow him to be an effective Governor. In January 1991, Charlie joined the then newly-elected Weld/Cellucci Administration as Undersecretary for Health in the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. As Undersecretary, Charlie played pivotal roles in Medicaid reform, facility consolidation, and the expansion of a number of key public health programs. He became Secretary of Health and Human Services in the fall of 1992, and led the Administration’s efforts to enact welfare reform.

Baker became Secretary of Administration and Finance in the fall of 1994, and served in that position until September of 1998. He re-structured and simplified the state’s purchasing system, led a major effort to improve the state’s capacity to collect third party revenue, and oversaw the largest effort ever to modernize the state’s code of regulation. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Governor’s Association in 1998.

In 1999 Baker was then tapped to serve as the CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, which was named by the Boston Business Journal one of the “Best Places to Work” for seven straight years. Charlie also has municipal experience from having served a term as a member of the Board of Selectmen in Swampscott, and on the town’s School Building Committee.

Baker intends to kickoff his visit to Walpole with a visit to Westbury Farms restaurant in the CVS Plaza in downtown Walpole. The Walpole community is invited to meet and greet Charlie as he makes his way through the downtown area.

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