M. Alex Baird

Director, DSSC

Mr. M. Alex Baird, a member of the Senior Executive Service, serves as the Director for the Defense Support Services Center, part of the Defense Human Resources Activity. As Director, Mr. Baird ensures critical support services are provided to the Department’s military and civilian personnel that enhance national security, mission readiness, resiliency and reintegration. Mr. Baird oversees following mission areas: Advanced Distributed Learning Program; Combating Trafficking in Persons Program Management Office; Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program; Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support; Defense Language & National Security Education Office; Defense Travel Management Office; Disability Programs Directorate; Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve; Federal Voting Assistance Program; Investigations and Resolutions Directorate; and the Military-Civilian Transition Office (Transition Assistance Program, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, SkillBridge).

In his 16 years as a career civilian employee, Mr. Baird’s assignments have been focused in the areas of health care management and Service member, family, and veteran support. Mr. Baird served as the Director and Deputy Director, Defense Personnel and Family Support Office; Director and Principal Deputy Director, Family and Employer Programs and Policy; Director, Individual and Family Support Policy; Chief of Family Programs, National Guard Bureau; and Deputy Surgeon, National Guard Bureau.

Mr. Baird’s career includes 24 years of active duty service in the United States Air Force as a Medical Service Corps Officer. In his last military assignment, he supported the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs in strategic planning and as a liaison to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior assignments include Air Staff, an advance training assignment at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service, and a joint assignment with the Army at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

Mr. Baird has a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management, a Master of Arts in Administration and Leadership, and a Master of Science in Psychology. He hails from Idaho Falls, Idaho.