Lito Alcantra

Lito R. Alcantra
President / Owner, Group Builders Inc.

Most people know him as the ever humble yet tenacious
leader of Group Builders, Inc. Very appreciative of
people, he constantly compliments them with phrases
such as “you’re the best”, “good job”, and of course,
expressing endless gratitude with words as simple as
“thank you”, addressing people as “Boss” , giving high
regards to them and their presence wherever he goes.
His zest for life is contagious. His vibrant smile and
spunky humor sparks laughter, making it easy to see
how people admire and recognize him.

He never forgets his roots, proudly recalling his hard
work, making each step of his success even more
precious. A man who enjoys being of service to others,
he makes it a point to check how everyone at work is

Remaining a part of society is both
dignifying and humanitarian in the
many organizational affiliates he is
involved in, whether in the US or the
Philippines. He is often invited to
participate or speak in numerous
events: fund raising, conferences for
business development, promoting
cultural associations, and numerous
graduation events motivating
students towards facing the reality of
their future head on, supporting the
important resources of society by
building a legacy for them to learn and
discover the niche of success.

Born July 13, 1937 to a farming family
in San Vicente, Ilocos Sur, Philippines.
He learned at an early age the value
of hard work and persistence.

Earned a full scholarship at the Mapua
Institute of Technology in Manila
where he finished Bachelor of Science
in Civil Engineering in 1960.

The following year, 1961, he passed
the Civil Engineering Board
Examination.

Three years, 1961 to 1963, he worked
for the Manila Railroad company as
Assistant Project Engineer.

In 1963 he was awarded the Model
Assistant Project Engineer.

For the next nine years, he was Dean
of the College of Engineering at the
Northeastern College of Santiago,
Isabela, Philippines.

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Lito Alcantra

doing, checking in before most of his employees start the day.

Unlike most people who have gained success with the blink of an eye or luck of the draw, Lito
has known how to work hard and stay humble. From growing up in a poor farming family to
becoming a Civil Engineer in the Philippines, later moving to Hawaii, starting off as a janitor for
a construction firm, studying blueprints after work hours till he became Vice President of the
same company. Many may dream of success but Lito always advises people to focus on setting
goals and remaining positive especially during unexpected downturns challenging a volatile
economy.
He believes in sharing the rewards of team effort. In an interview with Hawaii Business, he
stated: The destination is about giving, not receiving. I want to share my blessings and that is
my happiness.

From 1964 to 1973, he then ventured as the Self-Employed Owner of the Alcantara Construction Company.

The declaration of martial law in the Philippines made him decide to move to Hawaii and further embark on facing
new challenges to his future.

His first job in Hawaii was at the Acoustic Insulation & Drywall, Inc. from 1973 to 1978 where he worked his way up
to reach the position of Executive Vice President.

When Acoustic Insulation & Drywall, Inc. was sold in 1979, Lito founded Group Builders, Inc., a General & Specialty
Contractor, with the financial assistance of Charles Cook who was then the Executive Secretary of the Contractors’
License Board.

Despite the volatile industry, the company grew to become the largest Finishing Contractor in the State of Hawaii
today.

Married to Carmelita Alcantra, Lito & Carmelita have four children: Anacleto “Joey”, Jr., Maribel, Anamelita and
Jeaneth, all established entrepreneurs at present.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Outstanding Filipino Business Person of the Year (presented by the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii in 1989)

Outstanding Engineer of the Year (presented by the Filipino-American League of Engineers and Architects in 1994)

Regional Minority Contractor of the Year (presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business
Development Agency in 1994 where he competed with construction firms from Alaska, Arizona, California, Nevada,
Oregon and Washington.

He was the first Filipino to receive this award.) Entrepreneur of the Year Award (presented by The Filipino Chamber
of Commerce Hawaii in 1996) Business and Finance Award (presented by the United Filipino Council of Hawaii in
1996);

Pamana ng Pilipino Award – Outstanding Filipino Overseas (Presidential Award for Filipino Individuals and
Organizations Overseas by President Fidel V. Ramos in 1996)

Hawaii Entrepreneur of the Year Award (presented by Ernst and Young, LLP in 1997)

Lifetime Achievement Award (presented by the United Filipino Council of Hawaii in February 2006)

Outstanding Union Builder Award (Presented by The Hawaii Carpenters Union Local 745 in February 2006)

Businessman of the Year Award (Presented by the Kalayaan Centennial Celebration Huwaran 2006 in July 2006)

ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Hawaii Filipino Contractors Association, President 1981-1984

Gypsum Drywall Contractors Association of Hawaii, President 1985-1986, Vice President, 1984-1985, Secretary 1983-
1984, Treasurer 1995-Present

Walls & Ceilings Contractors Association of Hawaii, President 1990-1996, Vice President 1989-1990, President 2010-
2011

Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Director 1984-1985

Oahu Filipino Community Council, Director 1989-1990 Isabela Association of Hawaii, Director 1992-1996

San Vicente Association of Hawaii, Director 1990-2006

Filipino Community Center, Director 1993 to Present

Filipino American League of Engineers and Architects, Vice President 1998-1999, President 1999-2000

Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America, was a member of the Board of Directors

General Contractors Association of Hawaii, member Association of Walls & Ceilings International, member

National Association of Home Builders, member City Bank (Hawaii), member of the Board of Directors, 2001 to 2004

Hawaii State Contractors License Board, member 2000 to 2008

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

As the President & Owner of Group Builders, Inc., the company first entered The Top 250 Largest Companies in 1998
(presented by Hawaii Business, the First Filipino Company included in the top 250 companies in Hawaii) and Hawaii’s
Top 20 General Contractors in 1999 (presented by Hawaii Business, the First Filipino Construction Company included
in the top 20). Since then, it has consistently maintained being among the best. Currently, it is number 79 among the
top 250 corporations in Hawaii, and number 15 in Building Industry’s Top 25 contractors. Nationwide, the company
ranks 186 among the Top 600 Specialty Contractors & awarded one of Hawaii’s Best Places to Work in 2008 & 2009.
Despite the growth and development of his company, Group Builders, Inc., rising among the top of the trade, Lito
keeps his humble roots to the ground, actively involved in cultural and trade organizations, interactive with Filipino-
American community activities, versatile in projects such as extending technology advancement, coordinating
business investors and dignitaries visiting Hawaii and the Philippines. Chaired the 11th and 12th Annual Trade
Mission of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce, provided labor & construction for the Bayanihan Health Services which
provides free Medical treatment to new immigrant families without medical insurance initiated the establishment of
the Filipino Community Center during his term as the president of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii in
1992-1993, was the Director from 1990.