Meet Our Executive Team

Jim Baker

President

Jim Baker, the dynamic Founder and President of Baker Marine Solutions (BMS), is a veteran mariner with an exceptional career that spans several decades. From his humble beginnings as a deckhand offshore, he has steadily risen through the ranks to establish himself as a formidable figure in the maritime industry.

Inspired by his chief engineer father, Jim developed a deep-seated passion for the sea and its related industries. He spent around 15 years sailing on offshore vessels and further sharpened his leadership skills as the Marine Manager for a commercial diving firm. These experiences laid the groundwork for the creation of BMS.

Under Jim’s visionary leadership, BMS has evolved into a solutions provider catering to diverse needs within the maritime sector. The company's key service areas include Marine Assurance, Marine Warranty, Project Management, Special Projects, and Engineering. Starting as a marine assurance provider, BMS has since broadened its scope to encompass engineering, design, logistics, and subsea inspection.

With a proficient team of around 50 office and field personnel, BMS is extending its reach both domestically and globally. Its client base is continuously expanding and includes super majors, vessel owners, renewable energy providers, and marine infrastructure clients. As the largest independent company of its kind in the Americas, BMS holds a distinctive position in the maritime industry.

Beyond business expansion, Jim is driven by a mission to make a significant impact on the maritime industry and enhance value for clients. When he isn’t steering BMS towards new horizons, he enjoys spending quality time with his family on the water.

Actively involved in professional and industry organizations such as OMSA, SNAME, MTS, and SOMWS, Jim ensures that BMS stays at the forefront of industry trends and developments. 

Todd Laborde

Chief Operations Officer

Sean Hogue

Executive Vice President

Arthur “AJ” Davis

Vice President Engineering

Arthur J. Davis, often known as AJ, is a distinguished professional in the maritime industry, boasting a diverse and expansive background. He earned his degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of New Orleans, equipping him with a solid educational foundation in the field.

In his career, AJ has held pivotal roles at prominent organizations such as ABS, where he demonstrated his exceptional knowledge and skills. His most recent professional endeavor was at Gulf Island Shipyard, a renowned entity in the maritime industry. With a proven track record, AJ continues to leverage his extensive experience and academic background to contribute to the maritime sector. 

Michael MacMillan

Vice President Subsea

Mike has been in the ROV industry for 20 years.  Starting as a technician offshore, he gained a passion for ROV’s. He began his career working in the GOM and eventually worked internationally over the last 15 years.  Mike continued to grow in the ROV industry holding positions as Operations Coordinator, Operations Manager, Project Manager as well as serving multiple roles in maintenance, quality and contract management.  In addition to his ROV experience, Mike started his professional career in intellectual property at the University of Southern Mississippi.  

Adam Sokol

Vice President Marine Assurance

Launching his career with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation from Texas Maritime Academy in 2007, Adam started as a Mate on ROV and supply vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. He quickly rose through the ranks to serve as Chief Mate and Master on drill ships supporting Gulf of Mexico operations.  Transitioning ashore, Adam branched out into the mining and manufacturing sectors for oil and gas products, which helped him further his knowledge in streamlining operations and regulatory compliance.

He later returned to marine assurance and mission critical systems vetting with Baker Marine, quickly becoming a recognized SME.

Adam brings a fresh vision to maritime industry culture and is passionate about fostering a strong safety culture in the marine industry. His mission is to enhance crews' understanding of their safety management systems while fostering effective safety controls to protect the teams offshore and advance the industry for the future.

Blake Fussell

Vice President Drilling

The day after graduating highschool in Louisiana, Blake Fussell was on the Mr. Charlie, a training rig in Morgan City. Blake worked his way through school at Tulane and LSU, but ultimately changed career paths from construction management, back to the challenging work environments in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Involved in the early stages of developing and deploying Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) equipment packages and services, Blake progressed from a technical specialist in the field to an MPD Superintendent. During these years, Blake gained the contacts and project management experience that have founded multiple MPD consulting groups.

Nicole Powell

Corporate Affairs Manager

Nicole’s transition into the marine industry with Baker Marine is a great example of how transferable financial skills can be across industries. Despite being new to the marine sector, her extensive background in managing a successful service company equipped her with a strong foundation in finance and operations. Her initial role in accounts payable, where her attention to detail stood out, helped build the trust that led to her promotion as Corporate Affairs Manager in 2024.

In her current position, Nicole is responsible for overseeing all accounting and administrative functions. As the primary corporate liaison for accounting and contractual issues, she plays a key role in bridging communication between different departments and clients, ensuring smooth operations across the board.