Baker's Staff
Baker's friendly and diversified staff will make your stay a rewarding and pleasant learning experience.
Jennifer Baker
Owner
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Jennifer is the school owner. She began her career at the school in 1978, when the school was known as King’s. Being new to aviation, she quickly fell in love with the entire aviation world, especially the world of the aircraft mechanic. She became a partner with the owner and took over the operation of the school. Jennifer taught A&P and IA Courses for 16 years, before buying out her partner and changing the name to Baker’s School of Aeronautics in 1994. She is a strong advocate for the aircraft mechanic and has served on several committees over the years to help promote the professional status and appeal of an aviation maintenance career.
She served many years on the FAA AMT Award’s Committee and helped in rewriting Advisory Circulars pertaining to the AMT Awards Program. She is currently working on the Tennessee Mid-South Aviation Maintenance Committee and is on the Advisory Committee for Tennessee Technology School of Science. In 2010 she was instrumental in helping NASA space technicians be recognized by the FAA for having enough experience to obtain their FAA Airframe ratings. She was inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame in November of 2009.
One of her personal quest is to help broaden the awareness of Charles E. Taylor, the first aircraft mechanic. Jennifer was a strong supporter of having May 24th recognized as AMT Day by the State of Tennessee and helped achieve that goal in 2003. In 2005 she began hosting an annual AMT Picnic at the school around Charles Taylor’s birthday to help keep the awareness alive.
Jonathan Wickes
Director
Baker Slaughter
Assistant Director
Baker has been around the school her entire life. Baker’s grandmother owns the school and her Mother was an instructor. At the age of 3, Baker’s job was to hand out pens to each of the students during the Monday night party get together. By the time she was ready for college, Baker was fascinated with the aviation industry. She enrolled at MTSU to pursue a degree in Aviation Maintenance Management. She also began taking flying lessons, and soloed when she was 19.
Baker was officially hired in January of 2018, while still in college. She worked part time as an Admissions Coordinator in the front office. In 2022, she left college and began working full time at the school and became an A&P Instructor. Just recently, Baker was appointed as the school’s Assistant Director, however, she still teaches A&P classes when needed. She plans on returning to college and earning her degree sometime in the future. Baker says the best part of her job are the people she meets from all over the world and from all walks of life. She loves being able to help them succeed in accomplishing their own personal dreams. Baker always has a smile on her face with any task at hand. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her loved ones, flying, and enjoying the outdoors.
Donna Highers
Instructor
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Donna holds the title as our Chief Instructor and has taught full-time with our school since 1988. She came to us with five years prior experience teaching A&P mechanics for another school. She teaches our A&P Courses and our Inspection Authorization Course. Donna also holds an Advanced Instrument Ground Instructor's rating and has taught many flight ground school courses in the past. She is famous for her dynamic and detailed, (but “keep it simple”) teaching methods. Donna's long tenure, coupled with her personal quest of ensuring that all her students pass the first time, has earned her a very well-known and popular reputation among the aviation community all around the world. All the thank you letters and cards that she has received from past students over the years would probably wallpaper our entire school!
During her off time she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her young granddaughters.
Reba Evans
Instructor
Reba began her career in aviation maintenance while she served with the Tennessee Air National Guard. After training and working on C-130's, she knew she was hooked and decided she wanted to spend her career in aviation maintenance. After gaining the required field experience, Reba attended Baker's School and received her A&P certification. She worked as an on-call mechanic at the BNA airport and has experience with Cessna 152's up to Boeing 767's certified in various categories.
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When Reba began working for the school, it didn't take long for everyone to see that she was a natural teacher. She is currently teaching our Airframe and Powerplant writtens and Oral and Practical courses. She is devoted to her students and takes pride in ensuing that each one is ready before encouraging them to take the FAA exam. She often will work with students one on one, if she feels that they need additional training on a particular subject or area. Her compassion and encouraging words are certainly appreciated by all of her students. She enjoys making the students feel at home while they are in class and is always ready to help them.​
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Besides her natural teaching skills, Reba will tell you that she feels her greatest accomplishment is her young daughter, who has also discovered a love for aviation, like her Mom.
Tommy Simpson
Instructor
Tommy was born in Gallatin, Tennessee, and attended Portland High school prior to enlisting in the Tennessee Air National Guard at Berry Field ANGB in 1984. He was initially assigned as C-130 Crew Chief until selected as a C-130 Flight Engineer in 1995. While a traditional Guardsman, he was employed as FAA certified A & P technician for Corporate Flight Management. In 2001, he became a full-time Guardsman. During his tenure, he served as Standards and Evaluations Evaluator and the Formal Training Unit (FTU) Flight Engineer Course Manager, instructing students from all over the world in flight engineer operations and aircraft systems. As the Operations Group transitioned from the C-130 to the MQ-9 Reaper, he cross-trained to sensor operator while establishing the foundation and developing personnel for Reaper Operations.
Tommy retired after thirty five years from the military and joined the Bakers team in April of 2019.
Tommy has degrees in Aviation Operations, Instructor of Technology and Military Science, and Air and Space Operations.
John Wylley
Instructor
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John was raised in Arizona and enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately after high school. His passion for aviation led him to a successful career as an Unmanned Aircraft Technician, specializing in the MQ-1 Grey Eagle drone. Stationed in Ft. Carson Colorado, John completed multiple deployments before his final assignment at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. During his military service, he honed his technical skills and completed an Associate’s Degree
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In the final months of his military career, John pursued his Aircraft and Powerplant (A&P) certification at Bakers School, enhancing his expertise in aviation mechanics. Today, John serves as an A&P Instructor, sharing his experience with students. He is known for his approachable nature and willingness to assist students with any questions they may have. Additionally, John plays an integral role in supporting the office team, offering his technical expertise to solve a variety of challenges. With a strong background in both unmanned aircraft systems and traditional aviation, John is dedicated to helping others succeed in their aviation careers.
Wayne Johnson
Instructor
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Wayne is a born and raised Tennessee native who has a long-standing love of aviation, music, fishing, and Trans-Am's. He is a fully certified A&P who graduated from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Aviation Maintenance Technology program in 2020 and was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society as a result of his outstanding scholastic performance.
Wayne has worked extensively in General Aviation as the maintenance supervisor for a flight school fleet in Murfreesboro, TN, and later at Lebanon Municipal Airport, which can be seen from our school. Though new to instructing, his engaging personality and teaching methodology have made him very popular among students as they make their way through our O&P classrooms. Often seen wearing a straw hat on Mondays, Wayne is famous for encouraging students to always ask questions and not be afraid to have fun.
Susan McGuire
Admissions Coordinator
Meet Susan McGuire! Her beautiful smile and eagerness to help others has been a huge asset to our school. She is one of our three Admission Coordinators. Susan is here to answer your questions by phone, email or in person.
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Susan McGuire is a proud mom of two amazing young men. She is originally from Kentucky and moved to Tennessee at the age of 9 and graduated from Mount Juliet High School. She is a huge Vols fan, and enjoys spending time with her boys, being outdoors, traveling and living a fun filled life. Susan has over 21 years of experience in HR and Administration. She spent 20 years in the entertainment/music industry when she arrived at Baker's and she says she is absolutely loving learning all the knowledge of aviation.
Caitlynn Khanthavongsay
Admissions Coordinator
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Caitlynn joined our team in May of 2022. After dedicating 10 years to serve in the Air Force, she decided to move back home to Tennessee, where she was born and raised. She wanted to be closer to family and raise her own family here with her husband with three adorable young daughters.
Caitlynn came to us with over 10 years' experience in Human Resources. She works in our busy front office assisting students with their enrollments, schedules, paperwork and any other issues that may arise during their stay. She also proctors and administers FAA testing to our students and the public. If you visit, email or call the school, Caitlynn is here to answer all your questions and help you to begin your journey. She is always willing to help.
A couple of known facts about her: Caitlynn is a Gilmore Girl fanatic, and Fall is her favorite time of the year.
Ashley Miller
Admissions Coordinator
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Ashley is originally from Watertown, TN, and has roots in the local community. She graduated from Cumberland University in 2022 with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing and immediately began applying her skills in the marketing field, where she worked for two years in brand development and digital strategy.
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Ashley joined the Baker’s team in August of 2024, where she works as one of our Admission Coordinators. She is responsible for processing enrollments, answering phone calls and emails, and providing helpful information to students or anyone seeking more details about attending Baker’s.
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Ashley also organizes and hosts Monday Parties, a fun and engaging time where students can try Baker’s world-famous meatballs, making it a great opportunity to meet other students while enjoying a delicious treat.​​