LinkedIn recently reunited me with my Austrian second cousin, whom I hadn’t seen since childhood. Technology is just wild, isn’t it? We used to play together in my relative’s 300-year-old farmhouse, complete with an attic and an old spindle.
Those memories got me thinking about where we come from and how geography, history, and circumstance shape the people we become. For me the greatest business lessons didn’t come from school. They came from the kitchen table in a small home in Midland, Texas, where two immigrants built a life from absolutely nothing.
My father came from the small Austrian town of Köflach, and my mother grew up in Zurich, Switzerland. They arrived in North America with very little “stuff.” But they did bring a lot of determination, skill, and unwavering belief. The values they lived by are woven into my leadership and the way we operate at Alder Airfield Services.
Lesson one: Start where you are and work hard
My father, Alois Münzer, was trained as a chef in Paris and deeply passionate about food. But when he first arrived in the U.S., he did not start at the top. He worked as a ski instructor by day and cooked in a kitchen at night, taking every opportunity he could to build a life from scratch. My mother sold ski tickets, supported the household, and navigated a new country with courage and resourcefulness.
I watched them turn every challenge into action. Eventually, my father was given the chance to manage a restaurant in Midland, Texas. He poured himself into it, and as our family’s modest resources grew a little over time, he eventually bought the restaurant, which was sold four years after he passed away.
At Alder, we carry this same principle into our work. Titles and seniority matter less than initiative, skill, and dedication. If the cones need moving or a surface needs clearing, we do it. Everyone participates because every task matters. Witnessing my parents live this ethic showed me leadership is not about position, it is about showing up fully and doing the work that needs to be done.
Lesson two: We don’t know what battles people have fought
My mother, Irene Zellweger Münzer, had a very different childhood than my father. She was what Switzerland calls a Verdingkind, a child removed from her home by the government and placed with other families. Many children in that system ended up with strangers, but she was fortunate to live with a blood relative. Her early years were full of hardship and little comfort, yet she grew into a person of extraordinary kindness and strength.
I watched her navigate life with grace, patience, and quiet resilience. She did not speak much about the challenges she faced, but it was impossible not to see the lessons she embodied every day. I learned that kindness is not weakness, and that leadership is as much about empathy as it is about action.
At Alder, we carry that same ethos into every project. We focus on creating a healthy, supportive work environment where mental health is a priority and every team member feels seen and valued. The construction and aviation industries are filled with ego and hierarchy, but we intentionally cultivate respect, understanding, and teamwork. Witnessing my mother’s life taught me the greatest strength often comes from compassion and humanity.
Lesson three: Fight for the underdog
Growing up, I did not fully understand the courage it takes to leave a continent, a language, and everything familiar behind. Watching my parents navigate a new world, showed me what it means to face daunting odds with determination and integrity. Their strength was quiet but undeniable.
At Alder, we are intentional about giving opportunities to those who may be overlooked or underestimated. Leadership is not just about managing projects; it is about creating environments where people who need a chance can succeed. It is about seeing potential and providing support, guidance, and mentorship so every team member can thrive.
In industries like construction and aviation, the loudest voices or the strongest egos often dominate. But the people who quietly work with dedication and integrity are just as vital, if not more so. We fight for them. We make sure their contributions are recognized, their challenges acknowledged, and their growth supported.
Lesson four: Community is built deliberately
There is a masculine, territorial energy that generally exists on the airfield and a sense that people must protect their turf. I reject that. My parents taught me the importance of intentionally built, strong communities. They supported each other, their neighbors, and their employees in small, everyday ways. Those are the actions that create trust and belonging.
At Alder, that begins with how we welcome people to the work. We do not hand someone a badge and disappear. We explain what this team stands for, what we expect from one another, and the culture we protect fiercely. Everyone deserves to feel safe on the job, not only physically, but emotionally.
People succeed best when they feel supported, valued, and included. By deliberately creating a culture that prioritizes respect and collaboration, we are able to build stronger teams, foster innovation, and ensure that every person on the airfield or in the office can do their best work.
Honoring their legacy
My parents’ story is more than a history I carry. It is the blueprint for the company I am proud to lead. Every time we choose compassion over ego, teamwork over bravado, or integrity over convenience, I feel like I am honoring them. Their journey is a reminder that greatness is not born from comfort, it is built through courage, perseverance, and belief in something better.
My work now is to use what they showed me to build something that matters, create opportunity, treat people well, and build a healthier workplace than the industry expects.