2025 Wrapped: A Year of Opportunity
2025 brought opportunity in many forms to AKS, our clients, and our communities. From supporting the communities we serve to expanding our expertise and strengthening relationships, this year was full of moments to give back, grow, and connect. We are always saying that the sky is the limit at AKS, and 2025 proved that to be very true. As we reflect, we’re proud of the progress we have made and of the new opportunities that strengthen our people, partnerships, and impact.
Building Stronger Communities
This year, the AKS team came together to make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.
Early in the year, our Community Involvement Team coordinated coat and blanket drives across our offices. The Canby Center, The Union Gospel Mission, The Bethlehem Inn, Open House Ministries, and Windermere’s Share the Warmth all benefited from the generosity of our people. Over the summer, the same team organized our annual Back-to-School Supply Drive, donating a record number of supplies to the Hillsboro School District. Later, we partnered with various toy drives, allowing employees to provide gifts for local families (and pets!) in need.
AKS also celebrated Arbor Day at the City of Sherwood Tree Planting event, where our arborists and volunteers guided children in planting trees and taught the importance of nurturing our urban forest.
Investing in our Team
At AKS, our people are our greatest strength, and in 2025, we continued to offer a range of company-wide and team-specific learning opportunities.
This spring, we hosted our annual Camp AKS event in Redmond, Oregon. It was a full day of presentations, panels, and breakout sessions, capped off with employee awards and an evening celebration. A month later, our Construction Management team completed their annual training, honing skills and sharing best practices. We also held Project Management training, equipping the team members who keep our projects running smoothly. By investing in professional development, we continue to strengthen the foundation of every project we undertake.
Expanding our Expertise
2025 was a standout year for growth and expansion at AKS! Through strategic partnerships, we launched multiple new service lines, added many qualified team members, and geographically expanded our footprint, broadening the ways we can support our clients and the communities we serve.
This fall, AKS added a collection of new services, including traffic and transportation, geotechnical, special inspection, structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical services. We topped this off by entering the energy market with strengthened resources. These partnerships have expanded our presence in Washington and Oregon, while also solidifying our presence in Nevada, Arizona, and California, allowing us to support projects across the United States.
Each of these partnerships has been an important step in expanding our expertise and delivering even greater value to the communities and clients we serve.
Celebrating Relationships
Strong relationships are foundational to everything we do, and in 2025, we took every opportunity to celebrate with both clients and employees.
Our annual Crawfish Brew & BBQ event in June was a highlight, drawing 1,000 employees, clients, and family members to our Tualatin, Oregon, office for food, conversation, and games. Later in the summer, our Bend office hosted its Summer Bash, celebrating our clients and shared successes. We entered fall hosting a good crowd for a tailgate in Corvallis for the Washington State University (WSU) vs. Oregon State University (OSU) game. We take building relationships seriously, and our track record of repeat business is proof that it is working.
The year’s celebrations were capped by recognition as a Top Workplace by both The Oregonian and USA Today. This award, determined by real employee feedback, reflects the strong culture at AKS and why people love working here.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we close the chapter on 2025, we’re energized by the possibilities ahead. In 2026, AKS will continue to support our communities, grow our expertise, and strengthen the relationships that make our work meaningful. We’re excited to explore new markets, take on innovative projects, and deepen our impact on the communities we serve. With a talented team, strong partnerships, and a commitment to quality, the year ahead holds great promise.