Isabelita "Lita" Abele

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Small Business Administration proudly unveils the illustrious roster of the 2024 Small Business Persons of the Year, representing every state, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Among this constellation of enterprising leaders is New Jersey's own Isabelita "Lita" Abele, President, and CEO of U.S. Lumber, Inc., who has been distinguished with the title of 2024 Small Business Person of the Year for New Jersey.

"It is a great honor to be recognized alongside the nation’s most successful and inspired small business owners,” said Abele. In every challenge lies an opportunity to grow stronger and more resilient. My journey was not an easy one, but it was fueled by the belief that through hard work and determination, anything is possible. I hope my story serves as a beacon of inspiration for others to pursue their dreams with unwavering passion and perseverance."

Abele, who originally hailed from the Philippines and relocated to the United States in 1981, personifies the quintessential American Dream. Rising from humble beginnings to the helm of U.S. Lumber, Inc., Lita's tenure has transformed the enterprise into a leading luminary within the tri-state area's lumber supply chain over the past five decades.

All State Winners are spotlighted on the SBA website and will receive formal recognition at the in-person National Small Business Week Award Ceremonies scheduled for April 28-29 in Washington, D.C. The festivities will climax with the announcement of the 2024 National Small Business Person of the Year.

National Small Business Week (NSBW) is slated for April 28-May 4, 2024, and will encompass a virtual summit co-hosted by SCORE, providing mentorship to America's small businesses, alongside the in-person Awards Ceremonies. Additional details regarding NSBW can be accessed at www.sba.gov/nsbw. Media inquiries and interview arrangements with Administrator Guzman can be initiated via press_office@sba.gov.

March 7 ushered in the declaration of the 2024 National Small Business Persons of the Year and several other National Small Business Week Award Winners, which include a bevy of lending partners, advocates, advisors, and investors who bolster America's small business framework. To discover more about this year's winners, please visit www.sba.gov/document/support-2024-small-business-persons-year.

U.S. Lumber, Inc. boasts an impressive project portfolio featuring prominent initiatives like the Philadelphia Convention Center, Lincoln Financial Field, Borgata Casino, Atlantic City Tunnel, Goethals Bridge, and significant federal government contracts. The company's dedication to excellence and diversity has not gone unnoticed, securing them a place in "Diversity Digest."

Lita Abele's odyssey, marked by persistent grit and inexorable ambition, has not only shaped her own fate but also cast her as an emblem of hope and progress within both the business and philanthropic spheres. Her saga of fortitude has captivated audiences with coverage in the Courier Post, Philadelphia Business Journal, Filipino Reporter, StarWeek Magazine, and multiple television networks in Philadelphia.

Her relentless commitment to community service has established her legacy beyond the business world. Lita has been appointed as Commissioner on the New Jersey Asian-American Commission, facilitating pivotal dialogues between the Asian-American community and state governance. Lita's energetic involvement extends to organizations like the New Jersey Development Authority for Small Business, Minorities, and Women Enterprise, the Philippine Nurses Association of Southern NJ and PA, Inc., and Rowan University, showcasing her dedication to multi-faceted leadership.

In 2024, Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) established the Lita Marcelo Abele (LMA) Women’s Institute for Business Studies to develop leadership skills, foster empowerment, and provide professional growth for women and minority women students at RCSJ whose goals are to enter and advance their careers in the field of business.

The echoes of Lita Abele's impactful narrative are meant to inspire others to chase and actualize their own "American Dreams."

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