Company: PIBH
Company Description: PIBH,markets and sells products made & services performed by persons with disabilities through member agencies in Pennsylvania. Alfred Baker, President leads a staff of 57. In 2002, 2003 2005 PIBH was one of the best places to work in PA a result of the 100 Best Places to Work, Pennsylvania contest. PIBH was honored with a Stevie Award 2003 Best Overall Company.
Nomination Category: Company, Office & Product Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program

Nomination Title: The PIBH Corporation Helping People

1. Tell the story about what this nominated company achieved in the past year (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

PIBH was incorporated in 1956 and is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 
Alfred Baker, President, CEO, lead 40 employees in its mission as the central
non-profit agency which markets and sells products made and services performed
by persons with disabilities through member agencies in Pennsylvania. Some of
those products and services are; brooms, pens, safety products, window
treatments, carpet installation, janitorial services, photo driver license and
identification, call center operators etc.

The PIBH mission leaves our employees, with a sense of fulfillment both
personally and professionally. Ours is a special organization, in a serious
business with a noble purpose. It is important for our employees to remember
whom we work for and what our goals are. One of our reminders is an annual
awards banquet honoring the very people we employ with guest speakers who may
have also struggled with a disability; persons like, Danny Glover, Robert David
Hall, Jeri Jewell, Harry Belafonte and Montel Williams just to name a few. 
There are more than 2 million people with disabilities in Pennsylvania and more
than 70 percent of them unemployed because they are disabled which amounts to
nearly a quarter of a million disenfranchised residents and families in the
state. Working gives people with disabilities self-respect and allows them to
contribute to their communities. They earn their own health care benefits, pay
social security and state and federal income tax, which reduce their dependence
on governmental human service programs and save taxpayers money. 

Employment is
powerful tool in helping individuals achieve more productive and meaningful
lives. PIBH works on behalf of its 78 member agencies to increase employment
opportunities for people with disabilities through government relations,
marketing and sales. Our job is not simple, but we can state our mission
simply: We help people help themselves. 

We turn once again to the American Business Awards with our nomination in hopes
of being recognized for contributing to the standard and competition amongst
the finest organizations in the country.

2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:

3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader of this nominated company:

ALFRED W. BAKER

Al Baker, currently President/CEO of PIBH, previously served more than 31 years
in the Army retiring as Colonel. 

His military assignments included tours in Vietnam; Staff College, New Zealand;
Chief, United Nations Observer Group Lebanon; Chief, Military Cooperation,
Beirut; Brigade Commander; Chief, Staff Multinational Forces Sinai, Egypt; and
Chief, Staff US Army Berlin.

The Los Angeles Times Magazine quoted the Department of Defense stating Baker
was one of the most decorated soldiers in the Army.

January 2002, Harrisburg Magazine selected Colonel Baker as a Mover and Shaper
of Harrisburg. Mayor Reed honored him as an “Outstanding Citizen.”