Many area businesses and organizations can thank Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions Corporate Training Sales Manager Larry Baker for running more smoothly, efficiently and professionally.
Baker has spent the last 20 years building up “the most successful Workforce unit” in the Virginia Community College System, said Jeanian Clark, vice president of Workforce Solutions at Laurel Ridge. He is retiring Aug. 1.
Prior to arriving at Laurel Ridge, Baker had worked for Lear Corp. in Strasburg as a continuous improvement manager. While at Lear, which later became International Automotive Components, Baker taught Lean Systems classes for Workforce Solutions. After being downsized in 2001, he reached out to a former co-worker, Nancy Lloyd, who at the time was vice president of Workforce Solutions.
“She was my first phone call because she just had such a positive attitude,” recalled Baker, who began working as a consultant following the downsizing. “After a Lean class that was contracted through Workforce Solutions, Nancy offered me a part-time job.”
He was brought on full time in 2007. Baker, who has a bachelor’s degree in Management Science from Virginia Tech, continued teaching Lean classes.
“What’s unique about Lean is it’s continuous improvement and you can see before and after the improvement and return on investment,” he said. “That was always a humbling experience and I was proud of being part of that. It can be revolutionary.”
While most Workforce Solutions employees work more directly with students, Baker’s role saw him working with businesses and organizations to assess how his team could help them with professional development. If a business needed leadership training or Excel training, Baker would provide them with the instructor and the curriculum to make that happen.
“It was a different perspective, but the same great feeling, knowing you’re helping people enhance their skills and grow,” he said.
Clark described Baker as a servant leader.
“Larry has uniquely and authentically sought out ways to solve problems for industry employers for over two decades,” said Clark. “This spring, Larry – who doesn’t see himself as being a good salesman – sold our largest corporate training contract in the history of our unit! Our employers love him and the heart of service he demonstrates by showing genuine curiosity for their unique problems and a heartfelt desire for their success.
“Larry was the founder of the Leadership Institute, a corporate training program that has been successful for over 10 years and has taught hundreds of area future leaders essential leadership skills and provided career advancement for many of the graduates.”
Baker says he’ll most miss the camaraderie felt among his workforce team members.
“It really is a world-class operation,” said Baker. “We’re considered one of the top 3 organizations in North America. That’s just amazing. It’s not well known and, in my mind, it should be. But that’s not why we’re in business. We’re in business to help the students. We do so many things to help the students and the community. I feel very fortunate and kind of humbled in a way for being part of that and helping shape the organization.”
A Reading, Pennsylvania native, Baker lives in Strasburg with his wife Jane. They live in his grandparents’ farmhouse.
“I have plenty on my plate to keep me busy both inside and outside the house,” said Baker, who has two children and five grandchildren. “I know I will be called upon to spend more time with them, which will be fun. I enjoy being outside, and there’s always something around the farm to do.”
Baker also hopes to continue to be an adjunct instructor at Laurel Ridge.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.