Carol Baker Tharp

Infobox Person
name = Carol Baker Tharp


caption =
birth_date =
birth_place = Charleston, South Carolina
death_date = death date|2007|11|25|df=yes
death_place = Los Angeles, California
other_names =
known_for =
occupation = City councilwoman
nationality =

Carol Baker Tharp (1952 – 25 November 2007) was an American general manager and former executive director.

Biography

Carol Baker Tharp was born in the early 1950s in Charleston, South Carolina, and later grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. She spent her college career at the University of South Carolina as the deputy director of the Civic Engagement Initiative for four years. In the early 1970s, she received her bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University. [http://www.lacityneighborhoods.com/bio/carol_baker_tharp.htm] In 1986, she and her husband moved to Los Angeles, California, settling in Eagle Rock.

Rise to managing and directing

At USC, Carol Baker Tharp managed a project to map neighborhood involvement throughout the region.cite web |url= http://articles.latimes.com/2007/nov/27/local/me-tharp27|title= Chief of L.A. neighborhood agency|author= Hymon, Steve|publisher= The Los Angeles Times|date= November 27, 2007|accessdate= 2008-09-27] Being a former executive director for CORO South Carolina, she was also the third general manager in six years. The job was filled in for an interim chief for about eleven months when Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa offered the title to her.

During her time at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development she worked with associate dean Rich Callahan to develop leadership programs and excessive education.cite web |url= http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/14593.html|title= In Memoriam: Carol Baker Tharp|author= Sanderson, Kristin|publisher= USC News|date= November 27, 2007|accessdate= 2008-09-27]

Upon being hired, Baker Tharp said that she intended to focus on getting councils to achieve results in their neighborhoods. In a particular matter, she did not want neighborhood council members to overstep their roles.

Carol had earned her Ph.D in public policy and ethics from Claremont Graduate University in 2003. From January 2004 until March 2007, she was the deputy director of CEI.

Death

Carol Baker Tharp died of breast cancer at her home on 25 November 2007, at age 55 years old. Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa stated in mourn of her death:

"Carol Baker Tharp loved the City of Los Angeles and spent the past year working to strengthen its neighborhoods as the General Manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. Her integrity, intelligence, compassion and humor will be missed. Though we mourn her passing today, we take comfort in the fact that her work and ideas will continue to yield positive benefits for the people of Los Angeles."

References

External links

* [http://articles.latimes.com/2007/nov/27/local/me-tharp27 Chief of L.A. neighborhood agency - Los Angeles Times]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKgZFhmdymo Carol Baker Tharp at an alliance meeting]