RICHARD D. BAKER

Ponderosa Homes

Richard Baker was a Bay Area homebuilder for more than 20 years, having led three respected companies in the region. Since 1998, Baker was president of Ponderosa Homes, a privately owned company that has been building homes in the Bay Area for nearly 30 years.

He served as president of Greystone Homes’ North Bay Division and launched the company’s Northern California operations in 1992. Before that, he served as president of Pulte Homes’ Northern California Division for seven years and was a member of the team that opened that firm’s Northern California operation in 1983.

Baker served in numerous leadership capacities for building industry organizations, including the Home Builders Association of Northern California (the Bay Area homebuilders association) and the California Building Industry Association. He was also a past chairman of HomeAid of Northern California, the industry’s primary charitable organization, and a past board member of the influential Bay Area Council.

Baker was active in local charities, including leading Ponderosa’s fundraising efforts for the March of Dimes.