Robert B. Baker, Jr. grew up in DeKalb County, Georgia, where he graduated from Oglethorpe University with honors. He attended law school at the University of Georgia. After obtaining his juris doctor, Baker joined the Southeastern Legal Foundation, a regional conservative public interest law firm, and subsequently entered private practice. In 1992, Baker was elected to his first term on the Georgia Public Service Commission, where he has served as Chairman on two separate occasions. His victory marked the first time that a Republican was elected to a statewide office in Georgia since Reconstruction. During his first term with the Commission, Baker worked aggressively to develop competitive markets for utilities, reduce regulation and expand toll-free calling in Georgia. His accomplishments in these areas recently resulted in his being re-elected to a second term on the Commission.

In addition to his work with the Commission, Baker has served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Center for Advanced Telecommunications Technology. From 1991 to 1995, he held the position of Vice Chairman of the Gwinnett County Planning Commission. He is a director of the Peachtree-Atlanta Kiwanis Club and a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett. Baker was selected as one of Georgia Trend's most influential people in 1994 and 1998, and was awarded the Oglethorpe University Talmage Award in 1998.