U.S. Lumber’s Abele honored as N.J.’s Small Business Person of the Year by SBA

The 2024 Small Business Persons of the Year were recently announced by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Among this cohort of enterprising leaders was New Jersey’s own Isabelita “Lita” Abele, CEO and president of U.S. Lumber Inc., based in Woodbury Heights, 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,” Abele said. “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.”

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.

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 it a place in “Diversity Digest.”

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. Abele has been appointed as commissioner on the New Jersey Asian-American Commission, facilitating pivotal dialogues between the Asian American community and state governance. Plus Abele’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 established the Lita Marcelo Abele 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.