Since joining Blackstone in 2002, Mr. Baird has advised companies such as American General Finance (AGF), American International Group (AIG), Bresler & Reiner, Ford, General Motors, Horsehead Industries, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, International Lease Finance Corp (ILFC), Minneapolis Star Tribune, Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Pacific Lumber Company, Sea Research Foundation (Mystic Aquarium), SemGroup, and Toshiba.  Mr. Baird has assisted a number of these clients in managing their exposure to post-retirement employee benefits through the use of VEBA trusts.

Mr. Baird has also advised creditors in the restructurings of Borders Group, Covalent Materials, Dura Automotive Systems, Jefferson County (Birmingham, Ala.), and Meridian Automotive Systems.

Mr. Baird received an A.B. from Bowdoin College and an M.B.A. with honors from Columbia Business School.