04 July 2005 --  The Philippine Consulate General in New York reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that another Filipino-American entrepreneur has brought honor to the country by garnering one of 50 awards given annually by the Asian American Business Development Center for excellence in business. The awardee is Ms. Isabelita Abele, President and CEO of U.S. Lumber, Inc.

"Ms. Abele is a living example of the American dream whose success will surely inspire present and future generations of Filipino Americans and other Asian minorities as they strive to carve their own niche in the American mainstream, whether in business, the arts or other field of human endeavor, " Consul General Cecilia Rebong said.

In the program that was distributed during the awarding ceremonies at the New York Hilton and Towers, Ms. Abele is described as "President and CEO of the family-owned and Southern New Jersey-based U.S. Lumber, Inc., who has successfully positioned her lumber and building materials company as a regional leader in sales." In 2003, Ms. Abele's lumber business topped over $5 million in sates prompting numerous American business magazines including the Philadelphia Business Journal and Courier Post to recognize her company as in the top 50 woman-owned firms in Southern New Jersey.

"But what makes Ms, Abele's success story truly inspiring," said James Wohn, Dinner Awards Committee Chairman and Senior Vice President of North Fork Bank, "was the fact that she started out in the United States with practically nothing except her Filipino education, strong faith in her abilities, and unflinching courage and determination to confront the adversities that life threw her way."

A native of Laguna, Philippines, Ms. Abele is a trained teacher and, in fact, taught subjects at several schools in San Pablo City before immigrating to the U.S. in February 1981. Since that time, Ms, Abele has successfully parlayed her way into the lumber business, a rare feat for a woman and member of the Asian minority community in the U.S., and even government service. Her most recent stint in government service was as Economic Development Commissioner for Mantua Township, New Jersey. Also in 2004, Ms. Abele was appointed as member of the New Jersey Development Authority for Small Business, Minorities and Women Enterprises.

Asked what accounts for the success of her lumber business, which is a leading lumber supplier throughout New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania, Ms. Abele says, "My company is built upon teamwork, hard work and strong customer service. My company's motto is, We're fast. We're reliable. We Care." END
 
 

/jay