WOODBURY HEIGHTS, N.J. — Lita Abele, the Filipina-American president and chief executive officer of US Lumber, Inc., will receive her third national award in 2005.

On May 20, she will accept the Asian Enterprising Magazine’s 2005 Asian Entrepreneur of the Year for Construction during the organization’s recognition dinner in Washington, D.C. 

Additionally, she received the 2005 Enterprising Women of the Year Award for businesses with sales in the range of $5 million to $10 million annually during a special February ceremony at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Last May 7, she received the 2005 Outstanding Filipino American Award  in the business category from the Filipino Heritage Foundation, Inc. during its annual gala in New Jersey.

“I am honored and humbled that my commitment to community advocacy on behalf of women and minorities has been recognized by so many important organizations,” said Abele, who was the 2004 NAWBO-South Jersey Business Woman of the Year. “None of us serve our communities in order to get awards. We work with others to make a difference and change the world.”

“I want every Filipino to know that I remember my roots, and work to open doors for Asian-Americans and immigrants from my homeland,” continued Abele, who has appeared as a media expert commenting on “The Apprentice” series for the Courier-Post daily newspaper. “In June, I will be giving the keynote address before the young women who earned their Gold Stars in the Girl Scouts.  The advice I will be giving them stands true for everyone. Always follow your heart, and never let anyone silence your voice.  You have many gifts to share with the world. Let’s make sure every person has the opportunity to shine.”

A former nanny and Catholic school teacher, Abele has come a long way since immigrating to the United States in February 1981. She combines business acumen with community service, while drawing upon her political appointments to address the unique needs of women and minority community members.
While succeeding in business, she always makes time for community service.

During 2004, she was named one of the 25 Women of Influence for NJ BIZ and the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Additionally, she was named one of the finalists for the Wells Fargo Asian American Business Leadership Award.

In September 2004, she was named a 2004 Women of the Year for the Girl Scouts of South Jersey Pines, representing six Southern New Jersey Counties.                                            
Her story is built upon courage and tenacity because she confronted adversity head-on in America. When she left her homeland of the Philippines to seek new opportunities in America, she took a job as a housekeeper for a Filipino family in New York.

Her employer denied her heat, forced her to eat leftovers and worked her nearly 24-hours a day. She barely escaped deportation after the same employer uncovered her phone call asking for help.

“No one has the right to steal our dignity and strip us of our freedoms,” said Abele, recipient of the Asian-American Heritage Council’s 2002 Asian-American Professional and Business Achievement Award. “To fulfill our dreams we must take risks. At the same time, all of us must bring humanity to everything we do. Success in life is not measured in dollars and cents. It is measured in the everyday things we do and how well we do them.”

Confident in her abilities to learn from challenges and mistakes, this naturalized citizen is a woman business owner who sets high standards for achievement. “I encourage everyone to set high goals, work hard, and success can be attained.”

Abele’s story has been featured in a Sunday Business Section lead story in the Courier-Post and a profile in the Philadelphia Business Journal.  

Additionally, Abele has also been published in photos in the Filipino Reporter and StarWeek, the Sunday magazine of the Philippine Star, and on Philadelphia network television. She urges business owners and those interested in succeeding to turn disadvantages into positive selling points. “My accent makes me stand out,” she comments. “Some people don’t like it, but I’ve said that once people hear my voice, they can’t forget me.”

US Lumber is a leading lumber supplier throughout New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Working with her husband, Merrill L. Abele (the minority percentage business owner), US Lumber’s past and present clients include Dupont Company, Philadelphia Gas Works, Exelon Peco Energy, Merck & Company, Madison & Carson Concrete, Mumford & Miller, and most recently, Atlantic City’s newly opened Borgata Casino.

When Philadelphia Eagles fans walk into the team’s two stadiums, US Lumber’s plywood is throughout the stadium, and her company was part of the Septa Transit Project built by PKF Mark III.

For several years, US Lumber will continue to supply lumber and plywoodfor the Driscoll Bridge repairs funded by the New Jersey Highway Authority. 

The Trenton Route 29 Tunnel, the US Postal Service Project, and construction at Temple University constructed by B. Peitrini and Son all include US Lumber materials.

The New Jersey School Construction Corporation (NJSCC) contracted with an approved construction company that retained US Lumber as one of the project suppliers. Abele’s work as a NJSCC supplier was featured in a 2004 issue of Diversity Digest, Governor James McGreevey’s publication that highlights progress in improving New Jersey’s schools.

For more information on US Lumber, Inc. or Abele’s work on behalf of community service, call Abele at (856) 853-1770.