Michael Baker International Chairman Receives National Guard Youth Foundation Award for Commitment to Fighting High School Dropout Crisis
Thomas Campbell Recognized for Longstanding Dedication to Helping At-Risk Youth
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa.
The National Guard Youth Foundation (NGYF) presented Thomas J. Campbell, chairman of the board of directors at Michael Baker International, with its ChalleNGe Champion Award at the Foundation’s 10th annual ChalleNGe Champions Gala this evening.
Mr. Campbell currently serves as a board member and treasurer for the NGYF, but received the award for his longstanding commitment to the Foundation and the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program, one of the nation’s most successful initiatives for helping teenagers who have dropped out of school. He is President and Founder of DC Capital Partners and Chairman of the Board of Michael Baker International. For more than 10 years, Campbell has been an integral part of the Foundation and has personally donated more than $1 million to support Foundation programs and help change the lives of at-risk youth.
“I am extremely honored to be recognized by an organization that is doing so much to improve and enrich the lives of one of our nation’s most underserved populations,” Campbell said. “The Youth ChalleNGe Program is truly transforming the lives of thousands of youth and their families every year. I look forward to continuing to work with the Foundation and supporting this vital and noble mission.”
The Youth ChalleNGe Program is a voluntary 17-month program for high school dropouts between the ages of 16 and 18. Participants learn a variety of life skills, but also have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma or GED through the program. The program has graduated more than 130,000 at-risk youth nationwide. Independent studies have found it to be one of the nation’s most successful initiatives reaching high school dropouts.
Over the past 25 years, Campbell has served as a member of the boards of directors of numerous public companies, private corporations and nonprofit organizations. Currently, in addition to his roles at Michael Baker International and the NGYF, Campbell is also a member of the Boards of Trustees of Lehigh University and The Pomfret School. He also serves on the Board of Directors of USO-Metro and is Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Middle East Institute.
“This year Michael Baker International celebrates its 75th anniversary. We are farmers not miners – we recognize the importance of giving back to society and our communities. With the National Guard Youth Foundation, I have seen the impact public-private partnerships can have in creating change in our nation,” Campbell said. “When influential private companies leverage their resources to support initiatives such as the Youth ChalleNGe Program, our entire society benefits.”
Former U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana was also honored at the event, being presented with the ChalleNGe Champion Lifetime Achievement award for her longstanding support of the Youth ChalleNGe Program. The gala was attended by more than 800 Congressional and military leaders, the business community, alumni, graduating cadets and noted celebrities including country music star Randy Houser and NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick. Fox News Channel’s Jon Scott emceed the event. To date, the event has raised nearly $9 million to support scholarship, workforce development and training programs.
About Michael Baker International, LLC
Michael Baker International, LLC is a leading global provider of engineering and consulting services which includes planning, architectural, environmental, construction, program management, and full life cycle support services as well as information technology and communications services and solutions. The company provides its comprehensive range of services and solutions in support of U.S. federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign allied governments, and a wide range of commercial clients. Michael Baker International has more than 5,000 employees in over 90 locations located across the U.S. and internationally. To learn more visit www.mbakerintl.com
