Our Directors

Dr. Bobby Baker earned his chemical engineering degree and Doctor of Medicine from the University of Louisville. He later specialized in Radiation Oncology, completing his residency at the University of Florida and serving as Chief Resident at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia.

In 1985, Dr. Baker was invited to design and establish his first cancer center in Ashland, KY, where he founded the Tri-State Regional Cancer Center. He continued expanding his expertise by opening the Cancer Center of Charleston, WV, and in 1993, the Pacific Cancer Institute in Maui, Hawaii. He served as President and Medical Director of the institute until 2015, when he sold the business and relocated to Charleston, South Carolina, where his wife Julie had previously worked in Blood Banking at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).

In 1995, Dr. Baker also opened the Cancer Institute of Guam, which he operated for seven years before it was destroyed by Typhoon Pongsona. His experience with developing cancer centers worldwide led him to self-learn commercial real estate development and management, which prompted him to launch Baker-Investments in Charleston, focusing on Triple Net leasing and other commercial ventures.

Throughout his career, Dr. Baker has embraced leadership roles, including serving as Chief of Staff at Maui Memorial Medical Center and chairing various committees. His passion for non-profit work is evident in his service on the boards of organizations such as Hospice, the American Cancer Society, the United Way, and the Boy Scouts of America, where he served as President. Additionally, he spent 10 years on the Board of Trustees for Seabury Hall College Preparatory School and co-founded the Pacific Cancer Foundation (PCF), now in its 15th year of providing vital services—such as transportation, food, counseling, and access to specialists—to underprivileged cancer patients. Under his leadership, PCF has grown into a thriving organization with an annual operating budget exceeding half a million dollars.

Since moving to Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Baker has continued his commitment to service, joining the Coastal Carolina Council of the Scouts and serving on the board of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, where he was nominated as President. His love of music, cultivated during his time in Springfield, Kentucky, where he played in both the concert and marching bands, was further deepened by his high school math teacher, who introduced him to classical music, antiques, and calculus.

One of Dr. Baker's most fulfilling roles was serving as a Scoutmaster for five years, witnessing both of his sons achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. A strong believer in giving back to his community, Dr. Baker has also been recognized within his profession, being inducted as a Fellow in both the American College of Radiology and the American College of Radiation Oncology.

Julie attended Loyola Marymount College and the University of Kentucky, where she completed her studies and earned national certification as a medical technologist. She began her career in Blood Banking at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) before continuing her work in Hematology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Following her time at U of L, Julie joined the University of Florida’s Department of Hematology & Oncology. Her expertise in coagulation studies led her to Temple University’s Hematology program in Philadelphia, where she contributed to pioneering research on Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA), now a critical treatment for preventing stroke progression.

Julie’s passion for non-profit work has been a constant throughout her career. She served on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Justice Center in Maui, Hawaii, for five years and was the founding President of the Pacific Cancer Foundation. Under her leadership, the foundation grew into a thriving organization with an annual budget of over $500,000. Julie also initiated a highly successful Christmas fundraiser that now generates over $100,000 annually and is considered the “party of the year” in Maui.

Her dedication to community service inspired the creation of the Dr. Bobby and Julie Baker Foundation, which supports numerous causes, particularly those benefiting vulnerable animals. Julie has sponsored the purchase and training of service dogs in Hawaii, helping to place them with children, adults, and veterans with disabilities, transforming their lives through the companionship and assistance of a service animal. Her commitment to giving back is matched only by her drive to turn ideas into meaningful action.

Robert "Alex" Baker, known simply as Alex, earned his B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Finance, followed by an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Louisville. While his academic focus has been on finance, his true passion lies in entrepreneurship. He has built a self-made career centered on investment strategies, with a particular emphasis on residential and commercial real estate ventures.

He launched his real estate career in his early twenties by focusing on the fix-and-flip market, personally handling much of the renovation work. Over the years, he has successfully rehabbed dozens of properties while assembling a skilled team and forging strategic partnerships. As his expertise grew, he found his niche in the commercial lending sector, providing funding for real estate and investment projects. Along the way, he founded and led multiple successful companies in the real estate industry, establishing strategic alliances nationwide. His background in real estate and finance has equipped him to identify secure, high-return investment opportunities that attract savvy investors. This experience culminated in the founding of Coastal Equity Group, LLC, a private equity fund based in Charleston, South Carolina, which connects seasoned investors with prime real estate ventures. Coastal Equity Group now operates across several states, from South Carolina and Florida to Hawaii. He believes that building strong relationships and sharing opportunities are the keys to creating a successful and sustainable future.

Alex’s commitment to non-profit work began early in life when he raised $10,000 in Christmas gifts for hundreds of abused children, often providing their only gift of the year, through a project with the Children’s Justice Center of Maui, Hawaii. Today, he continues his dedication to giving back by including several of Coastal Equity Group’s home rehabilitation projects in low-income neighborhoods. He believes that improving one home and one neighborhood at a time can make a significant impact, restoring pride and ownership to families who have often been overlooked. Alex also serves on the board of trustees of Coastal Carolina Council of Scouting America. Alex enthusiastically  joined our executive board and plays a key role in securing and building upon the foundation’s legacy.