Baker Named Alumnus of the Year

PROVO, Utah – Nov 16, 2015 – The Romney Institute of Public Management named Bryce Baker, a senior adviser in the United States Office of Personnel Management, the 2015 N. Dale Wright Alumnus of the Year for his outstanding service in the federal government.

“Bryce’s career has been exemplary,” says Rex Facer, associate professor of finance and public management and cochair of the awards committee. “He has been involved in significant policy issues, including everything from medical leave to managing major compensation systems, while also being recognized by his colleagues as an outstanding team member.”

Baker, who received his MPA from Brigham Young University in 1983, has worked in multiple capacities in his more than 30 years with the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), currently advising the deputy assistant director for pay and leave in the OPM employee services component. In this position Baker has a lead role in reviewing and drafting legislation, developing OPM regulations, and designing pay systems and programs, among other duties. He says he enjoys the challenge of working in an ever-changing environment and the ability to draft policies that help millions of federal employees.

“Being a public servant is rewarding,” Baker says. “You’re working to make a difference on a mission that matters.”

Baker and his wife, Carol, live in northern Virginia and are the parents of five daughters. He and several family members attended a luncheon on Friday where Baker was presented a painting by Dale Wright, the award’s namesake. Wright presents a painting to each year’s honoree, a Romney Institute alum who has demonstrated extraordinary service in the public sector and in the community.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized,” Baker says. “I don’t know how to thank BYU.”

The Romney Institute of Public Management, part of the Marriott School’s Master of Public Administration program, was named in 1998 for three-term Michigan Governor George W. Romney. A part of the Brigham Young University’s Marriott School, the Romney Institute offers a master’s degree in public administration through both pre-service and executive programs. The Romney Institute has a long tradition of preparing young people for careers in public service and is dedicated to educating men and women of faith, character and professional ability who will become outstanding managers and leaders in public and not-for-profit institutions. Brigham Young University is the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States.