Alecsander Poliscuk
When Alecsander Poliscuk, 35, arrived in the United States from Ukraine in June of 2024 with his wife and two young children, the first two items on his agenda were to get his driver’s license and find a job.
When the war started in Ukraine, he and his family initially wanted to stay and figure out a way to make things work, but after months of uncertainty, they ultimately decided to move to the United States.
Finally, they found a sponsor who assisted with all the necessary documents and obtained a travel authorization, arriving first in Sacramento with a pair of skilled hands and a strong work ethic.
“It was too warm in Sacramento — it was over 100 degrees,” he says with a laugh. “We stayed there for one week, I think, maybe less than a week, and then we moved to San Francisco, because my wife and kids didn’t like it so much.”
Now, in San Francisco, finding a job proved difficult. Most businesses he dropped his resume off at said they weren’t hiring, but while asking around, someone mentioned that Biro & Sons was looking for workers and would take his resume directly to Rick Biro.
A New Home At Biro & Sons
Back in Ukraine, he had worked as a car mechanic and in construction, building a deep sense of craftsmanship through years of hands-on work. He had no experience with silver repair, but Alecsander’s strong determination and willingness to learn caught Rick’s attention. After the interview, he began working with the Biros at the start of November last year.
His mindset fit right into Biro & Sons’ culture and drew parallels between his family story and theirs.
Founder Alex Biro was an immigrant himself, having moved his family from Hungary through Eastern Europe to Canada and then to the United States after World War II.
For Alex and his two sons, Martin and Rick, who joined the business in 1977 and 1985, respectively, the road from Hungary to San Francisco had been long, but educational.
Just as the Biros built their legacy, Alecsander is now building his own American story with the support of a family business that understands what it means to start over. When he and his family faced challenges early on, such as finding housing, Rick and his family stepped in to help.
“Rick and his family helped us by paying the first month’s rent and deposit on our apartment,” Alecsander says.
Lifelong Love Of Craftsmanship
Over the past year, he has embraced the artistry of silver restoration with enthusiasm and curiosity. While the start presented some challenges, such as with soldering, he quickly adapted. Soldering was a process Alecsander was familiar with from his past work, but it required a new level of precision in this context.
Rick and his team were patient and eager to share their knowledge, offering guidance every step of the way.
“I’m always curious about every part of what we are doing here. Sometimes I try polishing. I want to try lacquering.”
When asked about his favorite part of the job, he’s quick to say he likes all of it. For him, the work is a continuation of a lifelong passion for creating and repairing with his hands — a skill he’s cherished since childhood.
“From when I was young, I think, from the time I was a kid, I have always worked with my hands,” he says with a smile. “I don’t know if it’s called manuality?”
His willingness to try his hand at different parts of the restoration process has made him an integral part of the Biro & Sons team.
Building a Future
Now, a year into his life in the U.S., Alecsander and his family are finding their rhythm in San Francisco — exploring the city and taking joy in small, everyday activities like cooking at home. He is very interested in American culture and taking in everything the city has to offer.
His journey is not only one of personal triumph but also a reflection of the enduring values that define Biro & Sons: A celebration of craftsmanship, community, and the immigrant experience.
Alecsander says that he’s grateful for the support he’s received from the Biros and proud of the skills he’s gained along the way.
“I have learned new tools, new techniques on repairing parts, and I still have more to learn from them.”