1993 Accounting Hall of Fame induction : Richard T. Baker Accounting Hall of Fame membership [1993]

              The Accounting Historians Journal
Vol. 21, No. 1
June 1994
1993 ACCOUNTING HALL
OF FAME INDUCTION:
RICHARD T. BAKER
INTRODUCTION
by
Ray J. Groves
Chairman, Ernst & Young
Richard T. Baker is best described as a great leader in ev­erything
he has done: athletics, business, civic and charitable,
education, and professional.
Dick Baker's leadership is exemplified by his unique ability
to urge his colleagues to perform to their highest potential.
Characteristic of a good leader, he achieved by providing others
the opportunity and encouragement to achieve, and then by giv­ing
them the recognition for their accomplishments.
Progressing rapidly in the profession during a period when
there were major distinctions between partners and staff, Dick
continually strived to reduce these barriers. He was very suc­cessful
in developing a collegial environment in Ernst & Ernst,
where every person was treated with respect for their respective
individual abilities regardless of their position. The result was
the improved realization of everyone's talents.
Long a strong proponent of education, Dick led his firm to
design, construct, and staff an education center for the pro­fessional
education of its people, as well as for others in the
academic and business community. He also encouraged con­tinuing
education throughout a person's professional career, re­alizing
that rapid changes in the business environment required
that each professional's skills be continually updated and en­hanced.
Dick Baker always encouraged the profession to address
and resolve its challenges and problems through its own efforts
rather than by looking to the government. He believes that the
private sector is capable of making even greater contributions to
our economy and our well being through utilizing and organiz­ing
the many capabilities of its private citizens. Throughout his