ARLINGTON, Va.-NCUA Secretary to the Board Becky Baker, a 1956 Olympic runner, carried the 2002 Olympic torch from the Arlington Court House through part of northern Virginia Friday, December 21 while family, friends, and even strangers looked on and cheered. Because Baker contracted pneumonia just prior to her own Olympic race, she was unable to run but was a part of the team competing in Australia. Baker came to NCUA in 1985 with former Chairman Roger Jepsen. She had served as Jepsen's executive assistant when he became a U.S. Senator representing Iowa. As secretary to the board, Baker ensures the board acts in compliance with applicable procedural statutes and regulations. Still a runner today, Baker was a track champion in college and law school. She holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and, in 1998, was named a Distinguished Graduate of the University of Illinois. Baker is married with three daughters and two grandchildren, some of who attended the torch running ceremony. The torch began its trip flying from Athens, Greece to Athens, Georgia. Runners started the relay last week from Georgia and ending ultimately nearly all the way across the country in Salt Lake City, Utah. The torch will travel through 13,500 miles through 46 states carried by 11,500 runners. [email protected]