Denise M. Baker has two reasons to be proud. The area Extension agent for family and consumer sciences in Mitchell and Yancey counties became Henderson County's Extension director on Sept. 5. And shortly before that, Baker was named one of 10 people to receive the state's highest honor for employees: the State Employees' Awards of Excellence. Last spring, Baker was honored as one of the five top employees at N.C. State.

Her appointment as Henderson County director, which was approved by county commissioners on July 19, was announced by Dr. Jon Ort, director, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, and Steve Wyatt, Henderson County manager. She succeeds Joy Staton, who accepted a position in June 2005 working with Cooperative Extension volunteer advisory groups in North Carolina.

Baker has worked with North Carolina Cooperative Extension since 1974. She began work as a 4-H and home economics Extension agent in Mitchell County and was named a family and consumer sciences agent in 1989. She has been an area agent since 2001.

Baker earned a bachelor's degree in home economics education from Appalachian State University in 1974 and a master's degree in adult and community college education from N.C. State University in 1990.

- Natalie Hampton