News Updates
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants (BakerRisk®), an employee-owned risk management consulting firm that specializes in process safety, structural and blast effects engineering, and research and development, has named Quentin Baker interim Chief Executive Officer, and a search for a new executive will commence in early 2026. Mr. Baker will continue to serve as Corporate Treasurer and Director of Incident Investigations.
“We are excited that Quentin has agreed to take this role with his knowledge of company operations and history of performance with clients and partners,” said Karen Vilas, Board of Directors Chair at BakerRisk. “The Board will begin a CEO search in the coming year. Additional developments are currently underway to strengthen the company in the areas of strategy, corporate governance, and financial oversight. We are confident in the leadership team as it executes its vision to move the company forward.”
Mr. Baker has over 40 years of experience in research and development, hazard analysis, and explosion and combustion phenomena. He previously served as BakerRisk’s President after the 2001 merger of Wilfred Baker Engineering, Inc. (WBE)—founded by his father, Wilfred E. Baker and Energy & Chemical Risk Consultants (ECRC).
About BakerRisk
Since 1984, Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants, Inc. (BakerRisk®) has taken a comprehensive approach to helping clients identify hazards, manage risk, and keep people safe. Today, we earn our customers’ respect by providing full-spectrum risk management solutions alongside transparent, data-driven advice. Our team of dedicated engineers and scientists have successfully provided risk management solutions in over 75 countries to industries ranging from oil and gas to manufacturing to agriculture.
BakerRisk is 100% employee owned. With over 200 experts/owners across nine offices globally in the United States, Canada, Egypt, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates, BakerRisk offers internationally renowned risk management services that prioritize hazard mitigation, personnel and property protection, and regulatory compliance.
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BakerRisk, an employee-owned risk management consulting firm, is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Vilas as Chief Executive Officer. Following a robust executive search process, Ms. Vilas assumed the role on April 21, 2026.
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BakerRisk is pleased to announce that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ENPPI was signed on June 17, 2025.
We are pleased to announce our inclusion in the Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firms list. The list ranks the 500 largest AEC (Architectural, Engineering, and Construction) companies in the U.S. based on design-specific revenue. It is the company’s first appearance on the list, ranking #391.
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Contact: +1 (210) 824-5960