Alen Baker graduated in 1973 with a B.S. degree in Computer Science from N.C. State University. During his 34 year career at Duke Energy, he rose in the leadership ranks to the position of Senior Director of Information Technology, where he was responsible for world-wide IT operations. While at Duke Energy, he was actively involved in the relationship with NC State University, leading many Sr. Design Center student project teams over the years. Baker is being nominated specifically for the significant impact he has made over time in the area of Community and Public Service. An Eagle Scout and an avid fly fisherman, Baker has always enjoyed the great outdoors, and he has been actively involved in the N.C. Wildlife Federation (NCWF) for many years of his adult life, serving as the organization’s Vice President, President and Board Chair. Under his leadership, Baker led numerous projects and initiatives in an ongoing battle to protect wildlife and wild places. While serving as Board Chair, he received the 2010 NWF National Affiliate of the Year Award. He continues to be actively involved with the NCWF Board of Directors as President Emeritus. In addition, Baker has served as a volunteer leader in Trout Unlimited (TU) for over 30 years. As President, he received the 1986 Gold Chapter Award for the TU Charlotte Rocky River Chapter. He served as TU State Council Director, TU Southeast Region VP and TU National VP and as Co-chair for the national restructuring of Trout Unlimited in the mid-90s. Alen recently served as Vice-Chair and Conservation Committee Chair for NC Trout Unlimited. While part of the leadership, the NCTU was awarded the 2013 NCWF Affiliate of the Year. In 2018, Baker was inducted into the Southern Trout Legends of the Fly Hall of Fame. In 2019, he was inducted into the Southern Fly Fishing Hall of Fame. In 2024, he was the inaugural inductee into the Rocky River Chapter of Trout Unlimited Hall of Fame.An avid fly fisher, Baker’s vision and passion has been to preserve the rich heritage of fly fishing in our region. In 2006, he wrote and published his first book, The First Twenty-Five Years, which captures the interesting history of his local fly fishing group in Charlotte. His second book, Our Fly Fishing Heritage: The Making of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians, captures the story of his drive to build a museum showcasing the rich fly fishing history found in the Southern Appalachians. As Board Chair, Baker’s vision for the establishment of the Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians became reality in 2015 when it opened in Cherokee. In 2016, the museum was relocated to Bryson City and has been undergoing an expansion into a second building. The Appalachian Rivers Aquarium was sponsored and built by the museum as a complimentary family destination in Bryson City. The aquarium presents two native hellbenders, a mountain trout stream and many more tanks with native species of fish, attracting thousands annually. A new building for the fly fishing museum adjoining the aquarium was completed in 2023, completing Baker’s vision.We applaud Alen Baker for his successful professional career at Duke Energy, and for his vision, passion, leadership and ongoing commitment to environmental service and protection.