About Us

HirePatriots.com began in February, 2005 as a website to serve the Marines at Camp Pendleton , Ca. The name of that site was HireMarines.com. The site was a huge success from the start. It grew from 500 visitors in its first month to 15,000 visitors by its third month. The media picked up the story.

The features done for the local network news were often shown across the country by their affiliates. E-mails from military personnel from bases across the country began pouring in. They wanted to be included too. And so, just six months from the site's inauguration, HireMarines.com expanded to include every military branch and base in the nation. It became HirePatriots.com.

Mark and Tori Baird began www.HirePatriots.com because of seeing so many young military men and women in town and then going home and watching the news of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan . They knew that many of the young military personnel they saw were going into those combat zones. The stress that these soldiers and their families experienced the Bairds could only imagine. They wanted to help.

Too, meeting some of the military wives with children in the neighborhood, made them acutely aware of their struggles and financial difficulties, especially those with husbands deployed to a combat zone. They asked themselves, "What can we do to make their lives a little easier and to show our appreciation for their sacrifice and duty?" -- They thought about it and came up with this idea to help those who serve in the military earn extra money on their days off.

Mark Baird has attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA; and he has earned a B.A. in English Literature from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA. He has taught at various schools, from kindergarten to community college. As a teacher and a father, he also coached many sports and was a leader in the local branch of the Boy Scouts. Mark has also been active in Christian outreaches to the poor and homeless.

Mark Baird began pastoring in 1971 at a small outreach in Isla Vista, next to UCSB. In 1973, he worked as the Youth Pastor for the Presbyterian Church.

During the "Jesus Movement" in the 70's, Mark witnessed to the “Hippies” and to the homeless and began a Calvary Chapel fellowship in Laguna Beach. And in the 80's he was a leader and "presenter" in Christian Marriage Encounter.

Later, as a lay pastor for Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, the Bairds began home fellowships in Tustin, CA, Mission Viejo, CA and Orange, CA.

During this time, they began working with Greg Essliar the pastor for the Vietnam Veterans of America. Greg appointed Mark as the pastor of Veterans' Outreach in Santa Ana , CA. And Mark was a frequent speaker at the Orange County Rescue Mission. – Currently Mark and Victoria are advisors on a Congressional Veterans Committee.

Since beginning HirePatriots.com, the Bairds have also created an online magazine to help transitioning troops: www.MilitaryTransitionNews.com. It includes their “Top 100 Patriotic Companies.” Theses are companies that attend their HirePatriots Job Fairs and that are looking to hire military experienced employees.

The Bairds have also created a 501c3 non-profit to fund their military and patriotic outreaches: Patriotic Hearts, Inc. (www.PatrioticHearts.org.) In addition to sponsoring HirePatriots.com, their non-profit also host “Military Marriage Enrichment Retreats,” “Wounded Warrior” blood drives, deployment and welcome home parties for troops and their families, and many other patriotic activities and projects.

While Mr. Baird taught in inner city schools, he also created and sold several successful building maintenance companies. And he sold group insurance to companies for several years. He is now using his education, business acumen and enthusiasm to enable every serving member of our county's military, and their spouses, to find employment and income when they need it.

Victoria (Tori) Baird has been a cherished wife and invaluable business partner. Before meeting and marrying Mark, she helped create and manage a successful boutique in Claremont, CA.

She attended California Polytechnic University, Pomona; worked at NBC Studios in Burbank; and is a trained and experienced actress.

Tori also sold group insurance with her husband. Her entrepreneurial and retail experience, as well as her energy and sparkling personality have been essential in building Hire Patriots.com into a successful, national outreach. “Tori” Baird was selected to receive the “Congressional Medal of Merit” by President Bush because of her “extraordinary efforts to serve America, the US Military and Veterans.”

Patriotic Hearts and its various outreaches have won numerous Awards. In 2007 they received the prestigious “Lead Award” from San Diego for “Economic Development.” And ABC TV ( San Diego: Channel 10) presented them with their “Leadership Award for “Outstanding Community Service.” They have also received commendations from the Marine Corps and from State and County legislatures.