AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO RETENTION AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.7(a)

AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO RETENTION AGREEMENT

     THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 (the “Amendment”) made as of the 17th day of December, 2008 to the Retention Agreement dated as of the 12 ^th of June 2007 is entered into between Michael Baker Corporation (the “Company”) and John D. Whiteford (the “Employee”) who is employed by the Energy Division of Michael Baker Corporation (“Energy”).

     WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it is in the best interest of the Company to assure the continued dedication of the Employee, notwithstanding the passage of time since the original Retention Agreement (the “Agreement”) was signed and the ongoing possibility or occurrence of the events described in that Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, in furtherance of that purpose and the Employee’s full attention and dedication, the Company desires to amend the terms of the Agreement as set forth in this Amendment.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ORIGINAL RETENTION AGREEMENT . All terms and conditions of the original Retention Agreement, except as specifically modified by this Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect, and all terms defined therein shall have the same meaning when used in this Amendment. The following revisions to the original Retention Agreement shall become effective upon execution of this Amendment. Section numbers and references in this Amendment correspond to the Sections of the original Retention Agreement being modified hereby.

1. Term . In item (d) of the second sentence of this Section of the Agreement, delete December 31, 2008 and s