A growing local newspaper is adding another talented individual to its team.
Keys Weekly announces the hiring of Jill Miranda Baker as business development officer for its Upper Keys office, located at 91760 Overseas Highway in Tavernier. A native of South Florida, Miranda Baker is a 25-year resident of Plantation Key. She began her career as a newspaper reporter for a group of community newspapers in Palm Beach County.
“The success of the Keys Weekly Newspapers has always been measured through the efforts of staff. Jill is a welcomed addition to our growing staff between her background and her work within the community,” said publisher Jason Koler. “This will bring a new level of service and support to the business community and our nonprofit partners.”
Miranda Baker spent several years working for Rep. Rick Minton Jr., before joining Mariners Hospital in 1997 as manager of marketing and public relations. In 2005, she became manager of medical services.
In late 2013, she joined the Florida Keys History & Discovery Foundation as the first executive director — building what became the first-class Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada.
Her service to the Keys community includes being twice past president of the Upper Keys Rotary Club, current board member of the Florida Keys Council of the Arts and Islamorada Chamber of Commerce ambassador. She’s also a Take Stock in Children mentor.
She’s held board-level positions with the Good Health Clinic, Treasure Village Montessori Charter School, the Florida Keys Area Health Education Center, the Rural Health Network of Monroe County and the Upper Keys Business & Professional Women. She is a graduate of Leadership Monroe County, Class VII.
She’s married to long-time backcountry fishing guide Duane Baker. They have two college-aged children, Mason and Raffie. She is a graduate of Lynchburg College, now University of Lynchburg, with bachelor’s degrees in communications/journalism and sociology, and has a master’s in management from the University of Phoenix.
“As a former reporter, I’ve always been a news junkie who reads many publications,” said Miranda Baker. “I’ve closely followed Keys Weekly, always impressed with their news coverage and their community involvement throughout Monroe County. Publisher Jason Koler and I connected through Rotary, and I’m honored he and publishing partner Britt Myers chose me for this new role and look forward to serving the Upper Keys community.”
Miranda Baker is known to scream at the television watching her Miami Dolphins play during the season. And you may have seen her on the road in her hell-raising purple 2021 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack wide body.
To reach Miranda Baker, call the Tavernier office at 305-363-2957 or email jill@keysweekly.com.
