I’m still riding the high from an incredible moment recently.
I was nominated for a spot on the list of Top 100 Women in Aerospace & Aviation to Follow on LinkedIn 2025!
This award that truly caught me by surprise. Ask Derek about my reaction, and it’ll probably include the phrase, “Holy Guacamole!”
While I gather my thoughts about what this incredible honor means to me, I hope to continue sharing my journey as an aviation safety company and fierce advocate for workers’ rights with you.
But first. Because they always come first: let’s talk about my people.
What I really want to celebrate today is the amazing team behind the scenes at Alder who make safety on the Air Operations Area (AOA) their top priority every single day.
Here’s why my team is the real hero behind this success story
According to the FAA and industry studies, the construction and maintenance sectors of aviation are among the highest-risk areas in the entire aviation ecosystem.
While aviation overall is one of the safest modes of travel, construction zones on airfields account for a disproportionate share of ground incidents and safety hazards.
To put it in perspective:
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that construction workers in aviation experience injury rates nearly 1.5 times higher than general aviation maintenance workers.
- Slip, trip, and fall incidents, vehicle/pedestrian collisions, and human factors—like fatigue and miscommunication—are the leading causes of incidents on the AOA.
- Sites with strong safety cultures see 40–60% fewer accidents.
At Alder, we believe safety is a team sport. Our secret sauce is a blend of intricate systems and lots and lots of training. But maybe most importantly, we focus on healthy, engaged, and motivated employees who bring it all together as a connected, trusted unit.
Why focus on employee health and happiness?
Research shows teams who feel valued, respected, and physically well-supported:
- Are 25% less likely to have incidents caused by human error
- Exhibit higher situational awareness
- Communicate more openly and effectively, catching potential issues before they escalate
We work hard at Alder to cultivate a workplace where our flaggers, escorts, badge holders, and the entire crew feel empowered and cared for.
A healthier employee is a safer employee. This mindset drives smoother operations and ultimately protects lives every day on the AOA.
To the team who lives this commitment day in and day out, Holy Guacamole, I couldn’t do it without you.
I wish I could nominate every one of you for an award because you are the true heroes of our industry.