As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m reflecting on our mission to bring emotional well-being to the construction safety industry—and celebrating the people who make it possible.
What we have at Alder Airfield Services is special. We have a community of dedicated professionals who show up every day to ensure safety, efficiency, and care on our nation’s airfields. Our reach is growing and our message is strong: total safety depends on physical and mental well-being. We are so grateful and the reflections come easily.
This season, I also want to share some of the things I’m especially thankful for because what good is thanks if we don’t share it? Of course, I could go on and on, but for the sake of you, the reader, I’ll keep it to ten. 🙂
- Our incredible team
I think back to last summer, during a particularly busy airport project. One of our flaggers noticed a potential safety hazard just in time, preventing an incident before it even started. Moments like these — small and unglamorous, yet critical — remind me how fortunate we are to have a team that watches out for each other and doesn’t ignore a single detail. Their commitment inspires me daily. - A culture that cares about mental health
On another site, I watched two of our crew members take a few minutes to check in with a colleague who had been struggling with stress. They offered support, listened, and shared resources. It was a simple gesture, but it got the ball rolling to find this worker mental health support. Creating a workplace where people feel safe to talk about mental wellness creates safer sites. Period. - Innovative thinking in safety
Earlier this year, we started bringing brain science into our daily safety briefings. A new crew member realized that by consciously focusing their attention, they could engage the Reticular Activating System (RAS), the part of the brain that filters information and highlights what matters. Simply by being aware of their own hazard spotting abilities using RAS shows that if we bring knowledge into practice, we keep people safe. - An inclusive and welcoming environment
Language is often a barrier on busy job sites. That’s why we make a concerted effort to ensure non-native English speakers can fully participate and feel empowered. In addition, we know the key to safety on site is culturally sensitive safety practices. I am grateful for a culture where every voice matters, where crews feel comfortable speaking up in any language, and where belonging is practiced. - Recognition from the industry
Being part of the Andrews County Airport project, which earned the 2024 TxDOT Airport Project of the Year Award, was a proud moment for our team last fall. We celebrated the recognition, and it is quite the accomplishment. But, what I’m more grateful for this year is the people behind our work and how they show up for each other. - Opportunities to learn and grow
From aviation conferences to mentoring new employees, growth happens everywhere at Alder. One late afternoon, a new RPR asked at least a dozen questions in rapid succession. Their curiosity sparked a lively group conversation, and by the end, everyone, including me, had learned something new. These moments reaffirm how much we can all learn from each other. - Our partners and clients
Trust is at the heart of what we do. I am thankful for the clients and partners who rely on us to protect their projects and their people. I believe it is the collaborative relationships that sustain the most meaningful work. - DBE certification
I am deeply grateful that Alder holds DBE certification and for the opportunities it creates; not only for our company, but for the broader mission of representation, fairness, and access in this industry. Even though the government now requires business to reapply for this certification, I continue to be proud of being a woman in “a man’s world.” (Can you hear my best James Earl Jones impression as I say that?) I am thankful for our persistence and dedication, and for efforts made to level the playing field so excellence has room to thrive wherever it comes from. This certification reflects persistence and dedication, but more importantly, it reflects a belief in leveling the playing field so that excellence has room to thrive wherever it comes from. - A safety-first mindset that extends beyond procedures
Safety isn’t just about rules. When you break it down, it is about people looking out for one another. Like when a crew member notices another adjusting the PPE incorrectly and immediately steps in. This isn’t to criticize, at Alder it is about genuine concern. These small acts of vigilance and compassion define who we are and help every person go home safely. - A sense of community
Finally, I am grateful for the sense of community that defines Alder. Whether it’s team celebrations, site briefings, or even quick conversations over coffee, there is a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect that I treasure. We are more than a team of professionals. We are people committed to each other and to work that matters.
I believe gratitude is a daily practice. However, the holidays do seem like a great time to call to mind that which we are thankful for. And as we reflect with gratitude on this past year, we also look ahead with excitement and determination, committed to building safer, more innovative, and more culturally mindful airfield services in the year to come.