Meet the Team- Alec Estopare

At Midland, our products are shaped by people who care deeply about how technology fits into real life. People who think critically, collaborate naturally, and bring curiosity into everything they do. Meet Midland's Product Manager, Alec Estopare. 

His path to Midland wasn't a straight line and that's what makes his perspective so valuable. 

He shared where he came from, how he found his way into product management, what drives him outside of work, and what it meant to travel to China to represent Midland firsthand. 

Getting to Know Alexander

Alec Estopare was born in Merriam, Kansas, though he didn't spend much of his childhood there. He grew up primarily in Overland Park before eventually settling in Olathe during his teenage years.

Family played a big role in shaping his early experiences. Summers were often spent traveling to see relatives, giving him exposure to different places and perspectives from a young age. 

"I spent most of summers as a kid going to either Chicago, Illinois, where my dad's side of the family from, or my grandfather's place in Warsaw, Missouri."

Those trips, paired with the influence of his older brother, helped spark an early interest that would stick with him for years.

"My brother was in the Navy and was actively deployed several times right after 9/11," he said. "Seeing him in all of his uniforms when I was very young left a big impression on me."

That exposure fueled a fascination with service, structure, and teamwork. 

"I was always really interested in the military as a kid. I'd dress up a lot and play soldiers with kids in my neighborhood."

Growing Up with Sports, Strategy, and Curiosity

Sports were a major part of Alec's childhood and teenage years, and the lessons he learned from them still influence how he approaches work today.

"I played soccer, football, and basketball as a kid," he explained. "I started playing flag football in second grade, then transitioned to tackle football and played all the way through middle school and high school."

Football, in particular, left a lasting mark. 

"There's something unique about football," Alec said. "You have 53 players on a team, and you're just one cog in the machine. If you're not performing well, it impacts everyone else."

That mindset translated into how he views responsibility and accountability. 

"I like to be someone that can be relied upon very consistently. That's something I take very seriously, both professionally and personally."

Sports also exposed him to a wide range of people and communities. 

"I got to travel across Missouri and Kansas for football, meeting people from totally different backgrounds. That really opened my eyes when I was younger to what's possible."

As he entered his teenage years, another interest began to take shape. 

"I got really into video games, especially strategy games," he said. "I played a lot of World of Warcraft and met some lifelong friends through those platforms."

That love for strategy never went away. 

"To this day, I still play a lot of strategy games when I have free time, mainly the War Hammer series." 

Finding His Path Through Education and Early Career Experience

After graduating high school, Alexander attended the University of Kansas for his undergraduate degree. Like many students, his academic path wasn't fixed from day one. 

"I went in as a political science major, but I switched what I was studying multiple times" he said. "I switched to philosophy at one point, economics, finance."

In hindsight, he sees the exploration as a strength. 

"I'm really grateful I switched my majors around so much. It kept me well-rounded and gave me a really good base. I knew a little bit about everything."

Eventually, he landed back on political science and committed to finishing his degree. However, during his junior year, the world changed.

"When COVID happened, everything felt really uncertain," Alec explained. "I decided to take a gap year going into my senior year and get some job experience."

That decision led to an unexpected opportunity. 

"One thing led to another and I ended up applying for jobs at Tesla," he said. "I relocated from Kansas City to Buffalo, New York."

Over nearly three years at Tesla, Alexander held multiple roles and eventually joined the project management team in Palo Alto, California.

"I learned a lot and was put into rooms with incredibly driven people," he said. "I'm very thankful I got to have that experience when I was young."

Eventually, family needs brought him back to Kansas City. 

"I moved back home to help some family out," he shared. "After some time off, I knew I wanted to get back into project management."

The Road to Midland and Product Management

When Alec interviewed at Midland, it immediately felt like the right fit. 

"I really liked the team I interviewed with," he said. "That's what made the decision easier." 

He joined Midland as a project manager, where he spent about a year and a half building relationships across teams and learning the business from the inside out. 

Then came a turning point. 

"I was given the opportunity to travel abroad to China to meet with manufacturers and learn more about the hardware side of things," Alec said. 

That experience opened new doors. 

"Because of that, I was able to transition into a product management role."

The shift from project management to product management has been both challenging and rewarding. 

"It's definitely more creative," he explained. "You still manage stakeholders and timelines, but you also have a lot more influence on where products are going and what features get built."

For Alec that creative influence is what makes the role exciting. 

"You're taking the customer's voice and turning it into something tangible. That's incredibly rewarding."

What stands out most to him about Midland, though, isn't just the work.

"It's the people," he said. "The Midwest charm is real. You're not just a number in a spreadsheet. People are easy to work with, and that makes the day-to-day better."

His Favorite Midland Product

As someone deeply involved in shaping Midland's product line, Alec has spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a great two-way radio. While there are several products he appreciates, one stands out above the rest.

"We just came out with the ER310PRO, which is a really great product," Alec said. "But if I had to choose just one of my absolute favorite, it would be the GXT67PRO."

For Alec, that choice comes down to a mix of design, usability, and real-world performance. 

"It's probably a common choice, but I really love the design and the UI," he explained. "It feels really good in your hand and has a great texture."

He also appreciates how accessible the GXT67PRO is, even for someone who has never used a handheld radio before. 

"It's very easy for anyone with no experience to pick up and understand the basic functionality quickly, even without instructions or a user manual," he said. "That's something I really value and something we can continue to build on." 

That balance between thoughtful design and intuitive performance is something Alec actively carries into his role as Product Manager. 

"When a product feels natural to use, it creates confidence for the customer," he said. "That's the kind of experience I want us to keep delivering as we move forward." 

Life Outside of Work

Between work and school, free time is limited, but Alec makes the most of it.

"I'm currently going back to school for software engineering," he said. "Balancing work, school, and personal commitments is challenging, but you learn to adapt."

That academic pursuit is driven by curiosity and long-term vision. 

"I see software engineering as a way to contribute more, especially as tools continue to evolve. I think it creates opportunities to build more technically sound and compelling products." 

When he does have downtime, strategy still plays a central role.

"I've been playing a lot of board games with friends," he shared. "We have different games depending on the mood, whether it's competitive or more relaxed."

He also continues to enjoy solo gaming challenges.

"I've been playing Total War: Warhammer III and working through a long campaign," he said. "Learning the systems and improving over time has been really gratifying."

Looking ahead, he's eager to tackle a new, hands-on personal project.

"I want to build my first-ever robot at home," Alec said. "I've got the materials and a 3D printer. I've never done it before, but I'm excited to try."

Traveling to China

Traveling to China to meet Midland's partners left a lasting impression on him. 

"It reminded me a lot of when I lived in Europe for a brief period," he said. "It's just a very different way of life."

He was struck by the sense of community and accessibility. 

"Things felt more walkable and connected," he explained. "There was a strong sense of respect for one another."

The architecture and sustainability practices also stood out. 

"The buildings, the infrastructure, even seeing bamboo used for construction ladders was really eye-opening," he said. "It felt thoughtful and intentional."

And, of course, the food left its mark.

"The food was amazing," Alec said. "Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, great spices. I loved the variety."

Beyond the sights and meals, the conversations mattered. 

"I had really interesting conversations with people from all over the world," he said. "Traveling to china was a great experience and something I'll always value."