Rhonda Baker

Rhonda Baker is a historic preservation specialist at the City of Grand Rapids. Rhonda has also worked as an independent artist and a chief inspector at Harrington Ammunition.

Baker began their career in 2006 at McDonald's, where they worked as a customer service representative. In 2007, they left McDonald's to pursue a career in the arts. Rhonda joined the Glass Art Society in 2008 and remained with the organization for 12 years.

In 2015, Baker began working at Harrington Ammunition as a chief inspector. In this role, they were responsible for inspecting incoming brass, sorting it by caliber, and discarding any damaged brass. Rhonda also processed brass by removing primers and rounding bass, and reloaded ammunition using automated machinery.

Baker left Harrington Ammunition in 2020 to take on their current role as a historic preservation specialist at the City of Grand Rapids. In this role, they work to protect and preserve the city's historic buildings and landmarks.

Rhonda Baker's educational career includes studying cane and murrine making at the Corning Museum of Glass, glassblowing at the Ox-Bow School, English Language and Literature/Letters at Fowlerville High School, glass blowing at the Chicago Institute of Art, sculpture at the George Jerich School, stemware at the Jody Fine School, and studio instruction on cane making andmurrini pulling at Wes Hunting.

Their manager is Tyler Kent, Assistant Planning Director - Dev Review/Zoning. They work with Elizabeth Zeller - Planner II, Alan Richard - Zoning Inspector II, and Dale Fitz - Planner II.