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Rice University Athletics
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and his Flood Policy Control Advisor, Gabe Baker
Passion for Public Service Guides Baker
8/10/2018 12:09:00 PM | Football
Former safety serves as Harris County Flood Policy Control Advisor
Whatever plans former Rice football standout Gabe Baker had to celebrate the Fourth of July earlier this year were quickly tossed aside.
Unexpectedly torrential rains in the Houston area turned what was to have been a holiday into a day of work for Baker in his new role as Harris County Judge Ed Emmett's Flood Policy Control Advisor and gave him an emphatic validation that the decision to move into the public sector had been the right move.
"Coming on staff in April and then having the first heavy rain event on the 4th allowed for me to have a different experience having that I had a deeper understanding on which areas flood and why, and what is being done about it," Baker said.
A two-year starter for the Owls at safety who helped lead the Owls to the 2013 Conference USA title and three bowl appearances, Baker set a school record by playing in 55 games.
Off the field, the Civil & Environmental Engineering major was honored with a Rice Outstanding Senior Award for his service, dedication and character. It was not a total shock that after three years working in the private sector, Baker was drawn to entering public service.
"While my experience (as a roadway engineer at HNTB) was terrific, I had a growing interested in working in public policy and so was making plans to transition to this career area. Just as I was submitting my application for public affairs grad school, Judge Emmett reached out to me about coming on-board his staff as his flood policy adviser," Baker explained.
"I couldn't think of a more valuable opportunity to impact a community that I love, under a leader that I admire, and on an issue that is at the focal point for the gulf region. This opportunity was a true blessing from God that I knew I couldn't pass up," he added.
Prior to his senior season, Baker had interned in Emmett's office and the relationship he forged with the fellow Rice graduate was a key factor in his decision in the change of his career path.
"From toting his Rice ring, to our regular side conversations about Rice football or baseball, and his summerly hiring of a Rice student as an intern in his office, he always proudly represents Rice," Baker said.
"Along with receiving constant encouragement over the years to explore the public service space, social impact and public engagement has always been a passion of mine," Baker noted. "Whether this manifested in full-time Christian ministry work, non-profit endeavors or anything else related (or all of the above), I knew I was heading this direction. Working in public service aligns with my deep heart to engage and impact the community and I am excited to continue down this career path."
In his new role, Baker serves as Emmett's spokesperson representing his stance and perspective for issues related to the resiliency effort. He also coordinates various flood management and awareness efforts between the County Judge's Office Harris County OEM, Harris County Engineering, and Harris County Flood Control District, and other related organizations.
The differences between the public and private sector were immediately obvious.
"It has been a steep learning curve, as I've been thrown into many situations communicating with private business and public groups and entities to inform, strategize and brainstorm over the many areas that pertain to flood mitigation, he noted.
"The biggest difference between working in the public versus the private sector (particularly coming from a technical practice) is the nature of my daily work tasks. On the private side, I had very defined technical tasks that were typically each fee-based. On the public side, my tasks aren't as consistently defined and the I am focused on "bigger picture" problem solving and discussions."
As if the learning curve was not steep enough on its own, the unexpected flooding on the Fourth of July only intensified the demands, but served to validate his career change.
"Having the significant rain event only further reinforced and motivated my involvement in the flood resilience effort. How Harris County and the City of Houston handle regional flooding will determine the future vitality of this region, and I am honored to be on the leading end of this effort."
Baker has also found an avenue for his competitive fires, post football. He competed in the eighth season of American Ninja Warrior, only to see his run not make the final show. He followed that up by competing in Ultimate Beastmaster on Netflix for two seasons and continues to train for a third.
Baker said the challenges of competing translates well into his professional pursuits.
"Being in these competitions and competing and getting to know all my fellow competitors has reaffirmed to me the understanding of the work and discipline it takes to be a pro in your practice. While everyone was varied in their athletic and competitive backgrounds, the principle that high performance comes from strict, disciplined training, is always the consistent theme."
Unexpectedly torrential rains in the Houston area turned what was to have been a holiday into a day of work for Baker in his new role as Harris County Judge Ed Emmett's Flood Policy Control Advisor and gave him an emphatic validation that the decision to move into the public sector had been the right move.
"Coming on staff in April and then having the first heavy rain event on the 4th allowed for me to have a different experience having that I had a deeper understanding on which areas flood and why, and what is being done about it," Baker said.
A two-year starter for the Owls at safety who helped lead the Owls to the 2013 Conference USA title and three bowl appearances, Baker set a school record by playing in 55 games.
Off the field, the Civil & Environmental Engineering major was honored with a Rice Outstanding Senior Award for his service, dedication and character. It was not a total shock that after three years working in the private sector, Baker was drawn to entering public service.
"While my experience (as a roadway engineer at HNTB) was terrific, I had a growing interested in working in public policy and so was making plans to transition to this career area. Just as I was submitting my application for public affairs grad school, Judge Emmett reached out to me about coming on-board his staff as his flood policy adviser," Baker explained.
"I couldn't think of a more valuable opportunity to impact a community that I love, under a leader that I admire, and on an issue that is at the focal point for the gulf region. This opportunity was a true blessing from God that I knew I couldn't pass up," he added.
Prior to his senior season, Baker had interned in Emmett's office and the relationship he forged with the fellow Rice graduate was a key factor in his decision in the change of his career path.
"From toting his Rice ring, to our regular side conversations about Rice football or baseball, and his summerly hiring of a Rice student as an intern in his office, he always proudly represents Rice," Baker said.
"Along with receiving constant encouragement over the years to explore the public service space, social impact and public engagement has always been a passion of mine," Baker noted. "Whether this manifested in full-time Christian ministry work, non-profit endeavors or anything else related (or all of the above), I knew I was heading this direction. Working in public service aligns with my deep heart to engage and impact the community and I am excited to continue down this career path."
In his new role, Baker serves as Emmett's spokesperson representing his stance and perspective for issues related to the resiliency effort. He also coordinates various flood management and awareness efforts between the County Judge's Office Harris County OEM, Harris County Engineering, and Harris County Flood Control District, and other related organizations.
The differences between the public and private sector were immediately obvious.
"It has been a steep learning curve, as I've been thrown into many situations communicating with private business and public groups and entities to inform, strategize and brainstorm over the many areas that pertain to flood mitigation, he noted.
"The biggest difference between working in the public versus the private sector (particularly coming from a technical practice) is the nature of my daily work tasks. On the private side, I had very defined technical tasks that were typically each fee-based. On the public side, my tasks aren't as consistently defined and the I am focused on "bigger picture" problem solving and discussions."
As if the learning curve was not steep enough on its own, the unexpected flooding on the Fourth of July only intensified the demands, but served to validate his career change.
"Having the significant rain event only further reinforced and motivated my involvement in the flood resilience effort. How Harris County and the City of Houston handle regional flooding will determine the future vitality of this region, and I am honored to be on the leading end of this effort."
Baker has also found an avenue for his competitive fires, post football. He competed in the eighth season of American Ninja Warrior, only to see his run not make the final show. He followed that up by competing in Ultimate Beastmaster on Netflix for two seasons and continues to train for a third.
Baker said the challenges of competing translates well into his professional pursuits.
"Being in these competitions and competing and getting to know all my fellow competitors has reaffirmed to me the understanding of the work and discipline it takes to be a pro in your practice. While everyone was varied in their athletic and competitive backgrounds, the principle that high performance comes from strict, disciplined training, is always the consistent theme."
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