08/05/2026
Aecon is proud to support the men and women who have served our country by partnering with Helmets to Hardhats, a nonprofit organization that connects transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard members and reservists with skilled training and quality career opportunities in the construction industry. Since 2003, they have helped nearly 50,000 military personnel successfully transition into civilian careers in the construction trades.
One of those success stories is Taj Middleton, a Contract Specialist in Aecon’s Charlotte, North Carolina office. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and serving in the U.S. Navy, Taj joined Aecon through the Helmet to Hardhats program, which connected him with the opportunity to continue serving in a new way.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to serve my country, challenge myself, and be part of something greater than myself,” Taj said. “What I enjoyed most was the camaraderie and sense of purpose that came from working alongside dedicated people to accomplish a shared mission.”
Like many veterans, Taj found that one of the biggest challenges was translating his military experience into the civilian workforce. He quickly discovered that the leadership, accountability, adaptability, and teamwork he developed during his military service were valuable assets in his new career at Aecon. Today, Taj supports Aecon’s nuclear operations, where he continues to apply those same principles every day.
“My military service taught me that meaningful work is about being part of something bigger than yourself,” Taj said. “At Aecon, I’ve found another opportunity to serve through teamwork, innovation, and building projects that make a difference.”
To further our commitment to this cause, Aecon recently sponsored the Central Washington Building and Construction Trades Golf Tournament at the gold level, supporting Helmets to Hardhats and its efforts to help veterans build successful civilian careers.
