Pinkowski Files

ADAM M. BAK
Adam M. Bak was born in Poland in a small town set in the picturesque area of Beskid Zywiecki. He studied at the Academy of Economics in Krakow, and during his second year of study traveled to Sweden for a vacation. This trip proved to be a turning point in his life. The Scandinavian aesthetic enchanted him; he observed and compared. The confrontation with the economy of the "New World" shook him. He changed his life plans and decided to interrupt his studies to see Europe. He worked and traveled and, after a year, he went to Canada, where he worked and studied English.
Mr. Bak moved to New York in 1969. Settling here, he found work, started a family and continued his studies at Hunter College, achieving his degree in 1973. In 1975 he bought a deli in the Polish neighborhood of Greenpoint. The most important year in Adam Bak's professional life came in 1978 when he bought the company Adamba Imports International, Inc., which imported foods from Poland to the United States. At the time, the company had an annual turn-around of 20 containers.
Since that time, the Adamba company, which imports 450 food products and fine spirits from Europe, has grown to an annual turn-around of more than 30 containers and a sales volume of over $20 million. Ninety percent of its products come from Poland and the remainder from Germany, Scotland, and Bulgaria. Adamba Imports International is the owner of several trademarks: Vavel, Naturalis, Bak's, Adamba, and Tears of Scotland. In the USA it represents Amino, Wawel, Hussman & Hahn, and Wedel products. Its biggest marketing successes are the marketing of Luksusowa Vodka, Aronia juice concentrate, and Vavel products.
A trustee of the Kosciuszko Foundation since 1999, Mr. Bak is well known for his philanthropy to both Polish and Polish-American organizations and has been a generous contributor to the Kosciuszko Foundation's Annual Ball for many years. He served as Honorary Chairman of the Ball in 1996 and this year has graciously assumed the even more demanding role of Chairman.
From: Resume (2001)
Adam Bak (1948 - )
Businessman
Polish Government Honors Adam Bak with Officer Cross of the Order of Merit of The Republic of Poland
New York (June 21, 2005) - The Consul General of the Republic of Poland, Agnieszka Magdziak-Miszewska will present the Officer Cross of the Order of
Merit of the Republic of Poland to Adam Bak, president and CEO of the Brooklyn based importer Adamba Imports International, for his achievements in fostering commerce between the U.S. and Poland.
Bak, 57, will be honored at a private ceremony June 29 at the Polish Consulate in New York City.
"This is one of the most distinguished medals that the President of the Republic of Poland can bestow upon an individual," said Consul General. "Mr. Bak has proven time and time again that his commitment to facilitating relations between our two countries knows no end. He is tireless in his dedication - and for that, we are proud to award him this much coveted medal."
Originally born in Rajcza, Poland, Bak emigrated to the U.S. (via Canada) in 1970. His passion for business and his keen sense for what other Polish Americans yearned for from Poland led him to acquire Adamba Imports in 1978.
At the time, Adamba was a small company importing just 30 Polish specialty foods. Under Bak's leadership, the company now offers more than 300 different types of products, from pickles to ultra-premium vodka. In fact, he created the ultra-premium vodka category three years ago when he introduced Ultimat to the marketplace. Recently, Bak managed to lift a ban on Polish Zubrowka (a type of flavored vodka) in the. U.S. with the introduction of his Bison Grass Vodka, which meets the FDA's
stringent standards.
"To say that I am honored would be a terrific understatement," said Bak. "All I can say is that my pride for Poland and my love for America have combined to make my job easy. If I have had just a little impact in helping to broaden a greater understanding and respect between these two great countries, then I have been successful. I can't thank the Polish Consulate enough for recognizing my efforts."
A Trustee of the Kosciuszko Foundation, Bak is one of the leading importers of Polish-made products to the U.S. His first large success came from the importing of Luksusowa Vodka. Under Bak's direction, the product was re packaged, re-designed and re-positioned for the American marketplace. In a few short years, Luksusowa became the number one potato vodka on the market, selling more than 120,000 cases per year.
In addition to his business activities. Bak has had a long history of funding cultural and charitable endeavors promoting Poland. And as one of the founders of the Polish-American Business Club he has worked constantly to bring together the Polish-American business community.
Source: The Post Eagle, June 29, 2005.

Adam Bak Receives Honors of Polish Government for Fostering Commerce Ties
Adam Bak, President and CEO of Adamba Imports International, was honored on June 29 with the Officer Cross of the Order of Merit of Poland, at a ceremony in the Polish Consulate on Madison Avenue at 37111 Street in Manhattan.
Bak, was honored by Polish Consul Agnieszka Magdziak-Miszewska as one of her last duties before returning to Poland. Bak was hailed for his work in improving relations between Poland and the U.S.
He acquired Adamba Imports in 1978 when it was a small company handling 30 specialty items. He built the company to now where it offers 300 products, from pickles to vodka. He created ultra-premium vodka three years ago when he introduced Ultimat Vodka to the public. Recently, he managed to lift the ban on Zubrowka, a flavored vodka, in the U.S. with the introduction of Bison Grass Vodka.
"To say that I am honored would be a terrific understatement," Bak said.
"All I can say is that my pride in for Poland and my love for America have combined to make my job easy. If I had just a little impact in helping to broaden a greater understanding and respect between two great countries, then I have been successful. I can't thank the Polish Consulate enough for recognizing my efforts."
He is associated in the business with his son, Robert.
He is affiliated with many Polish organizations and causes.
He was also honored by being named a Polish American World Citizen of the Year several years ago.
Source: Polish American World, July 29, 2005