Barry Baker, longtime president and CEO of prominent Spokane-based contracting company Baker Construction & Development Inc., has transitioned to the role of company chairman, triggering a series of leadership changes effective Jan. 1, the company has announced.

Baker, who for 40 years has helmed the company his parents founded in 1951, is stepping back from day-to-day operations, although he’s not about to retire, a press release from the company says.

Brooke Baker Spink, Brian Valliant, and Lucas Holmquist have taken on new leadership roles.

Baker Spink, Barry Baker’s daughter, is the new CEO. Baker Spink, who has been with the company for 11 years, most recently has served as its chief development officer.

Valliant, who has been with the company for nearly 20 years, is now president, having been promoted from senior vice president of construction services.

Holmquist is now executive vice president. He has been with the company for over 20 years and has been promoted from vice president.

As part of Baker Construction's succession planning, Baker Spink, Valliant, and Holmquist were named partners and shareholders in 2022.

Baker Construction currently has about 70 employees. In the Journal’s most recent list of leading Spokane-area contractors, the company reported 2023 contract revenue of $113 million, up from $102 million a year earlier.

Recent Baker Construction projects in Spokane include a $5 million Idaho Central Credit Union branch on the South Hill; the $10 million Millennium on Monroe mixed-use project, in North Spokane; and the $11 million West of Jefferson and Flatiron mixed-use buildings in Kendall Yards.