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 lta
Baker's market for manufacturing fire- and blast-resistant
buildings was a strong one long before the events
of 9/11. But, now the U.S. State Department has
been added to her roster of clients. The Safe Haven
buildings she manufactures at her Jennings, LA facility
have been sent to protect embassy workers from Jerusalem
to Beirut from terrorist attacks.
Alta
founded Safe Haven Enterprises after being involved
in a hazardous chemical release on a job site at
a petrochemical facility and surviving a close call
with a tornado near another site. She saw the need
for a "safe haven" for plant workers during emergencies.
Prior
to founding Safe Haven Enterprises, Alta ran the
only woman-owned caisson construction company in
the Gulf-South region. She took over that company,
Baker Foundations Inc., after the untimely death
of her father in 1974.
Her
daily management duties required her to be on job
sites where she was exposed to hazardous environments.
"With
today's hazardous manufacturing environment in petrochemical,
oil and gas, industrial and government agencies,
we saw a need to provide custom-fabricated units
for protection of personnel and property in the
event of industrial explosion, gas release, fire
hazards, inclement weather or acts of worldwide
terrorism, specifically blast protection, ballistic
protection and forced-entry resistance up to 60
minutes by providing a safe haven," Baker said.
In
2001, the company formed a strategic alliance with
Elder Offshore Leasing Inc. to expand its product
recognition in the oil and gas and marine service
vessel industries.
This
past June, Elder/Safe Haven was awarded a multi-million
dollar refurbishment project of a three-level, offshore
drilling living quarters skid with a helideck. The
345-ton unit was moved by barge from Amelia to Lake
Arthur, where it is being converted into a scientific
research and naval facility for the Venezuelan government.
The
structure will be self-contained, including a reverse
osmosis system to convert seawater to drinking water.
The 14-week project employed 100 people and is injecting
about $2 million into the local economy.
Born
and raised in Jeff Davis Parish, Baker has been
acutely aware of the downturn in industrial and
commercial growth and parishwide unemployment. Courted
by many cities and states to locate her business
in their area, she now realizes she made the right
choice to build her business in her own backyard.
Her work force is local and she buys local materials
whenever possible.
Recognizing
her company's contribution to the Louisiana economy,
Safe Haven received the 2002 Lantern Award for District
5 from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.
Safe Haven was one of eight manufacturers chosen
for this honor based on the company's impact on
employment growth, facility expansion, and community
involvement.
A
strong mentor to other women in manufacturing, Alta
is often recognized for her leadership. The Women's
Business Council of Louisiana named her its Women
Business Advocate of the Year in 2000, and she was
honored with the Council's Diamond Award in 2001.
She was also recognized at WBENC's 2nd Annual Salute
to Women's Business Enterprise: The Enterprising
Economy last spring in Washington, D.C.
Working
with her team of engineers, architects, and construction
experts, Alta Baker has created safe havens that
are considered the standard by which all others
are measured.
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