William D. Mooney, president of the Building Trades Training Directors Association of Massachusetts, has been presented with an award to recognize his role in promoting the Helmets to Hardhats program.

The program helps military, reservists and guardsmen transition from active duty to a career in the construction industry.

Mooney is a former Marine who entered the building trades 40 years ago after serving in Vietnam. Mooney became an apprentice with Operating Engineers Local 4, and then worked as an operating engineer before becoming director of the Operating Engineers Local 4 training center. His career ultimately led him to serve as the president of the Building Trades Training Directors Association of Massachusetts, an organization that represents building trades joint-apprenticeship training centers across the state.

"William Mooney’s continued support of the Helmets to Hardhats program in giving military candidates an opportunity to have a career is second to none," said Richie Eckler of Helmets to Hardhats. "A wounded warrior himself, he knows firsthand the dedication it takes to have a successful career in the trades. His leadership and sincere desire to participate in Helmets to Hardhats has contributed greatly to the program’s success."  

The award was presented by Darrell Roberts, executive director of Helmets to Hardhats at the Eastern Seaboard Apprenticeship Conference on May 26  at the Westin Copley Plaza in Boston.