Jay Baker

Born in Flushing, New York, Jay Baker got his start in retail through the Macy’s Training Program. He worked his way up through several buying and management positions at retailers such as Macy’s, Ohrbach’s, and Famous Barr. From 1977 to 1986, Baker worked for BATUS Retail in various positions at Sak’s Fifth Avenue, as President and Chairman of Thimbles, and later as the Chairman for the corporate buying office of BATUS Retail.

In 1986, he became the new President of Kohl’s, working with the CEO, William Kellogg, and Executive Vice President, John Herma. Along with outside investors, Baker led a management buyout of Kohl’s from BATUS. He was the lead merchant, and under his leadership, the company grew from 40 stores, to 350 stores, with the revenue growing from $280 million, into a $6 billion plus corporation before he retired in 2000.

Baker strongly believes in education and in the future of the retail industry. Soon after his retirement, he became very involved with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. In appreciation, FIT named its business school the Patty and Jay Baker School of Business and Technology and presented Baker with an honorary doctorate. He serves on FIT’s Board of Trustees and is also the Chairman of the Educational Foundation.

At his alma mater, the Wharton School, Baker started what has become the Jay H. Baker Retailing Center, where he is the Chairman. Baker and his wife Patty provide scholarships to The Baker’s Dozen, 13 deserving students from around the world for undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School.