Career Talk Profile: 5 Generation Bakers

By Scott Albert of The Albert Institute

Making profit and making a difference go hand-in-hand at 5 Generation Bakers.

5 Generation Bakers was founded four years ago by Scott Baker, literally a fifth generation baker. Known for manufacturing Jenny Lee Cinnamon Swirl Breads, the company was founded by Mr. Baker after a 14-year tenure at Jenny Lee until it closed down in 2008. The commercial manufacturer of frozen wholesale products posted a 242% revenue increase for the period January 2011 through December 2013, earning the company the No. 6 spot in the Pittsburgh Business Times list of the 100 fastest-growing area companies.

"We've been very fortunate to have found and retained a very dedicated bakery staff, without which this growth could not have happened," Mr. Baker said. Staff is as pleased to be working at the bakery as Mr. Baker is to have them.

Donna (Stevens) Hunter is a lifelong McKees Rocks resident. Donna was employed by Jenny Lee Bakery for almost 10 years when the business closed in 2008. She began employment with 5 Generation Bakers in February of 2009 as one of the original 4 employees. In a recent conversation with Donna she stated "It has been a pleasure working for such a great group of people and I welcomed the opportunity to literally work side by side with Scott as he began the next phase - 5 Generation Bakers."

Michelle Johnston is a resident of McKees Rocks who worked for Jenny Lee Bakery between 1994 and 1996. She began employment with 5 Generation Bakers in August of 2011 as one of the original 10 employees.

In addition to providing job growth to the McKees Rocks neighborhood, Mr. Baker himself is an active leader in the community. He organizes the annual Run Your Rox Off 5K, which serves as a fundraiser for the McKees Rocks CDC. The bakery also makes regular donations to other charitable events such as Leading Education and Advocacy for Families' annual Putt4LEAF Mini-Golf Tournament. Scott has been a McKees Rocks Rotarian for over 18 years and serves on the board of directors for the McKees Rocks CDC of which he was a founding member.

According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses make up approximately 64% of the nation's new private sector jobs. 5 Generation Bakers is an example of one Pittsburgh-based company that is creating jobs and making an impact on the community. For more information about 5 Generation Bakers, visit www.5generationbakers.com.