SAN MARCOS — Arnold Baker, a former All-American defensive end at Texas State University, has carved out a successful career as an industrial real estate developer and maritime entrepreneur in New Orleans.
Baker navigates diverse roles, leading Urban Solutions and Black Marlin Marine, with investments in concrete and construction companies. Graduating from Texas State with a marketing degree, he initially aimed for an NFL career, but injuries redirected his path. His senior-year internship at Simon Development Group, the world’s largest mall developer, sparked his passion for urban mall redevelopment. His Texas State experience equipped him for these challenges, setting the stage for his successful, award-winning career.
“The Texas State School of Business was academically tough,” Baker said. “When I got to my internship, I was excelling.”
The day he graduated, Baker was hired full-time by Simon Development Group to begin a national career in mall redevelopment.
“Still in my 20s, I traversed the country leading and assisting with turnaround projects for mall redevelopments,” Baker said. “I ended up working for three of the largest developers in the country, the last of which brought me to New Orleans.”
Moving to New Orleans gave Baker the opportunity to finalize his marriage with his wife, Tracee Dundas, who is a professional model, Fox Fashion Correspondent, and Producer of New Orleans Fashion Week.
After a well-publicized success in New Orleans, Baker’s career took a significant turn when he met the city’s future mayor, who offered him a pivotal position despite a substantial (65%) pay cut.
“I ended up participating in, managing, and overseeing well in excess of $3 billion in development projects,” Baker said. “It was a renaissance period for the city and an amazing personal reinvestment and growth experience for me.”
Baker attributes his time as a student-athlete at Texas State to shaping him into a successful businessman, highlighting the resilient mindset he cultivated on the gridiron.
“After every play, no matter what transpires, you have to huddle back up and get ready for the next play,” Baker said. “That’s truly the spirit that I evolved from in college.”
As a 25-year Executive Committee Member of the New Orleans Sports Foundation, Baker has served on five Super Bowls, four NCAA Final Fours, the New Orleans Bowl, the New Orleans Olympic Committee, and NBA All-Star Games Host Committees, overseeing sporting events ranging from WWE Wrestling to AAU Track to NCAA Gymnastics and Olympic Trials.
Baker’s post-college sports highlights include his role in establishing the first minority and women business inclusion program for the NFL during the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
“We put together the first minority and women business inclusion program for the NFL here in New Orleans,” Baker said. “It was so successful that they adopted it not only for every subsequent Super Bowl but within the NFL itself.”
Baker’s philanthropic initiatives led him to establish and chair the New Orleans Black Chamber of Commerce, offering minority businesses opportunities akin to his own. Subsequently, he was elected chairman of the National Black Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., advocating for small businesses in Senate and Congressional Hearings.
“That very interestingly led to also getting a board seat on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with the CEOs of several Fortune 100 Companies,” Baker said. “My personal mission was to advocate the importance of small business to them and the many benefits of protecting, growing, and stabilizing the U.S. small business community and their domestic supply chain.”
Reflecting on his time at Texas State University and the lessons learned from his football career, Baker expressed gratitude for the foundational values he acquired.
“My nickname on the team was ‘Wrong Way Baker,’ as I was commonly known for going the wrong way on a play but making the tackle anyway,” Baker said. “Coaches Johnny Barr and Neal Estes would initially criticize me during game review film sessions, but then encouraged me to continue following my intuition, even if it caused me to go against the plan.”
Throughout his career, Baker has pursued diverse endeavors, taking particular pride in his approach to business decisions, which often diverge from societal norms.
“I have never let anyone’s opinion or the prevailing trends dictate my decisions,” Baker said. “Doing good and doing right isn’t always easy, and you will absolutely face criticism.”
Baker is passionate about mentoring student-athletes at Texas State, often engaging with them at Sun Belt Conference media days and bowl pregame events. Reflecting on his own journey as a college athlete whose pro dreams were sidelined by injuries, Baker sees his unexpected career in corporate America as a testament to perseverance. His education and competitive spirit from Texas State have been foundational to his success across various sectors. His story illustrates the potential of a student-athlete’s career at Texas State.
