Silver Dollar City Veteran will lead Dollywood Marketing efforts

The Dollywood Company announced the addition of Rick Baker as Vice President of Marketing for Dollywood and Dolly’s Splash Country replacing Susan Hinchcliff Whitaker, the newly appointed Tennessee Commission of Tourism. Baker has been associated with the Silver Dollar City Company, Dolly Parton’s operating partner in Dollywood and Dolly’s Splash Country, since 1972 when he worked at Silver Dollar City as a summer job. After graduating from Drury University in Missouri, he joined the company full time in 1975 as the front gate manager and has worked in virtually every facet of the company, now Herschend Family Entertainment. “In addition to being a long term employee of the company, Rick brings with him great a strength in marketing and strategy,” said Ken Bell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Dollywood. Baker’s most recent assignment was Vice-President of Corporate Design and Development.  During his tenure, Silver Dollar City, Baker has directed the development of the Showboat Branson Belle, Stone Mountain Park’s Crossroads development in Atlanta, Georgia, the new Celebration City theme park in Branson, Missouri, as well as several projects at Dollywood.  He has also been very involved in the Branson Area and Springfield, Missouri Chambers of Commerce.   He is married to Katheleen, and is the father of four grown children.