Known fondly in industry circles as “Sara, ‘Jack’s Daughter’, Belletete,” Sara is proud of her roots and equally proud to work alongside members of the third, fourth, and even fifth generations of her family, which consists of her father, her daughter, as well as her uncle and cousins. Her commitment to the lumber community extends far beyond Belletetes. She currently holds the record for the longest consecutive term as president of the New Hampshire Retail Lumber Association (NHRLA) with six years and holds leadership positions on multiple boards, including the NRLA Executive Committee, the American Building Materials Alliance (ABMA) Board of Directors, and the North American Young Lumber Employees (NYLE) Board of Directors. In 2025, she becomes the first third-generation recipient of the Lumber Person of the Year Award in her family—a milestone she cherishes.
For Sara Belletete, the lumber industry is more than a profession—it’s a family legacy spanning more than 125 years. As a fourth-generation leader in her family’s business, she has spent most of her life immersed in the trade, following in the footsteps of her father, grandfather, and great-grandfather while carving her own path forward. Sara’s connection with the business began early; she worked in the family business from 14 years old until college. While in college she worked at Belletetes as well as Forester Moulding & Millwork. After graduating college, she moved to St. Louis for approximately five years. Upon returning to New Hampshire, she rejoined the family business, where she has now worked for over two decades.
Sara’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in business administration and advanced leadership training through the LMC Leadership Excellence Masterclass, the LMC Transformative Executive Education program at Wharton, and the Shared Leadership Workshop. Her dedication to professional growth mirrors her belief in contributing to the industry through active participation on boards, roundtables, and community initiatives.
Sara grew up in a close-knit family. She and her two sisters—Beth and Lisa—are fondly referred to as the “trifecta.” Gatherings with multi-generations present were frequent, and trips to lumber shows with her father were a regular part of life. One of the first LBM Expo shows she attended was with her father and grandfather. That tradition continued with her own children when they were young. Her children—Ethan, a successful photographer; Cassam, who works in the accounting department at Belletetes; and Delilah, a high school junior—are her proudest achievements and greatest joy.
Outside of work, Sara enjoys gardening, the ocean, Caribbean travel, and most importantly, time with her family. Guided by the philosophy that “there is no higher achievement than treating others kindly and living with integrity,” Sara has built a career defined by leadership, service, and heart—qualities that make her an exemplary Lumber Person of the Year.