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William Isaias (William Esteban Isaias Dassum) work has shaped the lives of countless people for decades. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador on May 4, 1943, William has become a versatile man with many different occupations, jobs, hobbies, and deep commitments to community service.
As the eldest of his siblings (Roberto Isaias, Estefano Isaias), William directly absorbed from his father and grandfather a strong sense of honesty and dedication to hard work, which he performs with love and without complaint.
William Isaias nostalgically remembers that when he turned 5 years old, his grandfather used to take him to his family’s textile factory, called “San Vicente.” There, William’s grandfather showed and taught him the process of manufacturing.
At the age of 13, William Isaias’s family sent him to the United States to study. William graduated cum laude from his high school, the Storm King School in New York, and went on to study at the Philadelphia College of Textile and Science, completing a degree in Textile Engineering, so that he could return back home and join the family business.
Upon his return to Ecuador, William Isaias Dassum established a new wool factory called “Indulana,” where he installed the latest, most modern machinery. All the raw materials used at Indulana were Ecuadorian, and 300 jobs were created.
William Esteban Isaias Dassum was not only involved with his family’s textile business, but He was also named the vice president of Public Relations for Filanbanco, a bank owned by his family for two generations. William’s work with Filanbanco was focused in Quito, Ecuador’s capital until his responsibilities expanded to include the entire Andean region of the country. During his time as vice president, William helped create the Art Museum of Filanbanco, which featured national artists from Ecuador’s Precolonial and Colonial eras.
In addition to his dedication to his family businesses, William Isaias has a deep knowledge and passion for cars and motorsports. As a result, William was invited to become a member of numerous Ecuadorian motor federations and clubs, ultimately leaving an indelible mark on Ecuador’s racing sports and transportation industries.
He became a member of the Touring and Automobile Club of Ecuador (ANETA). He was then elected by the National Board of Directors to be their delegate at the National Sportive Commission of Automobilism, where he became its president. And eventually, also, president of ANETA. During his presidency in ANETA,
William Isaias created the only “driving school” in Ecuador at that time, which became the Club’s primary source of income. William also started the “Vuelta a la República de automovilismo,” or “Country Grand Prix” which massively stimulated the tourism industry across Ecuador. To this day, the Grand Prix brings together racing fans from all around the country. He was also designated by the government member of the Consejo Nacional de Transito (CNT) and eventually, became its vice president. During his tenure, the format for license plates was established for each of Ecuador’s provinces.
It was his philanthropic desire to help his country be seen and known internationally. He saw an opportunity to promote tourism to beautiful Ecuador by joining other well-known international touring and automobile clubs. He not only joined them but became part of the board of directors. They are FITAC (Interamerican Federation of Touring and Automobile Clubs), headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was elected president. He then joined FIA (International Federation of the Automobile, in France). He was appointed Vice president of FIA’s Tourism Council. He was also a member of the board of AIT (International Alliance of Tourism, Luxembourg).
For over 16 years, William Isaias was deeply involved in community service by being a member or the Rotary Club. He was involved for eight years very actively and selflessly in Ecuador’s “Club Rotario Quito Valle Interoceanico” Rotary Club. When elected president of the club, he built, equipped, and maintained 7 preschools in rural, impoverished areas of Ecuador. The Rotary Club paid the salaries of the preschool’s teachers and staff and funded basic services such as water and electricity.
In addition, the Rotary Club provided the preschool children with a very substantial daily breakfast, which for many of the kids was the only way to access a healthy meal. The children also received free education, something that the Ministry of Ecuador was not able to provide for a variety of reasons. The children also received free medical attention.
Numerous other projects and initiatives were undertaken by the Rotary Club under William Esteban Isaias’ leadership. For example, eleven medical centers were built and equipped for different poor communities. One project involved working with doctors to provide harelip surgeries to children from different communities, without any cost to the children’s families.
Another initiative involved bringing a group of American doctors to the medical centers to perform eyesight checks. When the situation called for it, glasses were donated as needed.
In addition, the Rotary Club initiated vaccination, research, and deworming campaigns across many communities, including campaigns that addressed the widespread issue of cysticercosis in Ecuador.
Cysticercosis, which is caused by a tapeworm infection, is extremely common in rural, impoverished areas. Campaigns about this disease, as well as its dire consequences, were created to educate Ecuadorian people about ways to prevent the illness. There were some cases that were successfully treated by the Club’s doctor.
In recognition of William Isaias’ empathy with those in need and his selfless qualities, he was elected Governor of the Rotary International District 4400 but did not take this position because he left Ecuador. He was, until 2019, an active member of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables in Florida.
As a result of his honesty and dedication, William Isaias received a special distinction from the Mayor of Quito and received two separate recognitions from the Ecuadorian Government and the Minister of Education and Culture for his important work. For many years, William Isaias has brought a deep sense of passion and purpose to the many different occupations, hobbies, and philanthropic commitments that fill his life. The kindness that pervades his initiatives and actions has touched countless lives and will hopefully continue to do so for many generations to come.
Read More: Next-Generation Isaias family’s philanthropy: Luis Isaias
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This content is sponsored by Jim Bevin.
Photos provided by the author.