Penny Byram

Entrepreneur of the Year
Professional Services

Penny Byram was born and raised in Cabanatuan City, Island of Luzon, Philippines. She has one sister and seven brothers. Penny came from a very poor family. She was raised by her grandparents who taught her the value of hard work, love, and religion. Her grandparents also instilled in her young mind that by believing in herself, determination, and hard work, she could change her life. Determined to change her destiny, Penny worked as a domestic helper for her aunt just so she could attend and finish High School. After High School, her perseverance and determination paid off. She was accepted at Araullo University in Cabanatuan City as a working student with full scholarship and a small allowance. She earned her degree in Business Management from Araullo University.

Penny, a single mother, eventually moved to Valencia City on the Island of Mindanao, where her two young sons were born and raised. Here, she started her small business by financing farmers during the plantation period and buying and selling their products at harvest time. She then ventured into providing construction materials to various government projects for school buildings and a drainage canal.

In 1986, the Philippine Media Association honored Penny with a bronze award for being one of the Top Ten Youngest Successful Business Women in the Philippines. She is not only a smart and an outstanding business women, she is also a woman of courage, faith, and compassion. During the late 1980's, Penny Byram became a popular and controversial figure in the Philippines due to her opposition against corruption against government officials. It was one of the most challenging moments in her life, yet the experience only made her desire to help others even stronger, especially those in need. She was instrumental to sending needy children from barrios and rural areas to school. She continued to provide financial assistance to these children, including their families, until they finished college. Penny Byram joined the Rotary Club of Valencia City Bukidnon in 1989 and became the First Lady President of the Rotary Club in the Philippines.

Wanting to see the land of opportunity, Penny, with her two sons, immigrated to the U.S. in 1990. She first worked as a caregiver to support her family. After a few years of working as a caregiver, she founded her own company. In 2000, Professional Health Care Services, Inc. came into being where her eldest son, Reggie, is the President and CEO while the youngest son, Rio, oversees and manages the family's real estate investments. Professional Health Care Services, Inc. provides care for the elderly on an hourly basic and twenty-four hours a day. Professional Health Care Services, Inc. has grown tremendously in assets, employees, and clientele since its inception. All of this growth is due to Penny's commitment to provide services beyond expectation coupled with her extraordinary passion to care for her clients and their families.

Penny Byram, the founder of a Caregiving Registry, Professional Health Care Services, Inc. is currently the consultant to the Officers and Board Members of the Company. Penny Byram is also an active and dedicated member and officer of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce Orange County and the Rotary Club of Santa Ana, California, where she is the Chairwoman on Club Services and International Services. She was instrumental in getting her club a First Place award presented by the Rotary International District 5320, which is comprised of 50 clubs and 2,000 members. Penny continues to establish a close relationship with her sister Club, the Rotary Club of Makati Central in the Philippines, where the First Gentlemen and the Philippine President are active members.

Penny is a three-time recipient of the Paul Harris Foundation Award for her generosity and philanthropic belief in helping others. Among the many projects she continues to devote her time and resources for the Rotary Club's International Services are: Makati Central Drug Awareness Campaign, Guiguinto Feeding Needy, and Malolos Roof on Nursing Home. Penny Byram believes in "Service above Self" and generously volunteers her time to her local community and parish church when not working. Her secret to success? Her motto since childhood: "If there's a will, there's a way. Then, make it happen!"