On a recent Saturday morning in September, the sun was shining, the air carried a toasty Texas warmth that always encourages me to take more time for reflection … and more coffee.
Like my morning brew, my gratitude has felt especially bold, rich (and a little sweet) these days. Not long ago we were celebrating my graduation from Denver International Airport’s Business Development Training Academy, just another step forward for all of us on the team.
We’re also extremely focused on another step forward, which is earning Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certifications in a number of states.
For a female-owned airport construction support services company, DBE recognition is an official acknowledgment that our work is led, owned, and controlled by someone considered “socially and economically disadvantaged.”
To let you in on a little secret: I never saw being a female as a disadvantage, yet others see otherwise. The great news is this. There has been an increase in female pay. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2003 women earned about 81% of what men earned. As of 2024 women earned on average about $.95 for every dollar of what a man earned.
So we are getting there! Until then, we need programs like DBE.
DBE recognition opens the door to broader opportunities to help construction companies stay safe on the airfields while they’re working. A big part of that is because many federally funded programs actually encourage DBE companies to apply for grants. They want to make sure businesses like ours get a fair shot and that airports benefit from the kind of diverse experience we bring to the tarmac.
As of September 2025, Alder held DBE certifications in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming.
We’re constantly working on other states and municipalities, too.
Why the focus? It comes down to this …
We are one of the only female-owned airport construction support companies in the world, and we’re here to show that on the job with us, no matter who you are, where you came from: YOU MATTER (all caps)!!
The DBE program, managed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, addresses historical and ongoing barriers for small, disadvantaged businesses. To qualify, a company must be at least 51 percent owned and actively managed by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
The benefits are plenty.
Access and representation. Women, recognized by the DOT as a socially disadvantaged group, are eligible for this designation, provided other criteria are met, such as limits on personal net worth and adherence to the SBA’s size standards. Businesses must operate independently, with full authority over decision-making, to ensure the certification reflects genuine control and ownership.
Thanks to the Unified Certification Program, once certified in a state, our credentials are recognized by all relevant recipients within that jurisdiction, allowing us to focus on delivering services rather than navigating repetitive paperwork.
Ensuring future equity
Being female owned (and also being a former therapist) shapes our approach to collaborating with contractors in so many interesting and transformative ways. We see every project as an opportunity for us to lead by example in promoting physical and emotional safety for all workers.
While they broaden our access as a business, our DBE certifications are also a reflection of our commitment to representation at all levels of our organization. Ultimately, it’s a reflection in our belief that healthy workers means safer worksites.
For me, DBE certification is more than a credential that looks great posted on our website. It signals my responsibility to you, or perhaps a promise: When Alder steps onto an airfield, sets up barricades, or escorts crews, we are doing more than supporting airport construction.
We are showing what it looks like when representation and opportunity, and emotional and physical safety come together.