Dorenda Baker became the Deputy Director of the Aircraft Certification Service in October, 2005.  As the Deputy Director, Dorenda is responsible for the design certification, production approval, and continued airworthiness of the U.S. civil aircraft fleet.

Dorenda, with Director John Hickey, oversees a work force of approximately 1,150 employees in the FAA's Washington Headquarters, 4 directorate offices, and 37 field offices, including offices in Belgium and China. 

At the time of her appointment, Dorenda was on a detail to the Associate Administrator of Aviation Safety, leading the Comprehensive and Proactive Safety Management Approach Integrated Product Team (IPT) for the interagency Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO) for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NGATS).  Before taking the detail she was the Manager of the Small Airplane Directorate of the Aircraft Certification Service, where she was responsible for administering and managing the full range of assigned Aircraft Certification Regulatory Program activities.  She had national policy and regulatory responsibilities for Federal Aviation Regulations Part 23-Airworthiness Standards and for providing direction and management of all other engineering and manufacturing activities within the boundaries of the Directorate, which covers a 21 state area. From 2001 to 2003, Dorenda served as the assistant Directorate Manager. 

Throughout her 22 years with the Federal Aviation Administration, Dorenda has held positions in the Small Airplane Directorate, the Transport Airplane Directorate and the Aircraft Certification Division in Brussels.  Her responsibilities included management and project engineering for fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

Dorenda was born and raised in California where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo CA.  She also has a Private Pilot License SEL with an Instrument Rating.