About Us

AEC Engineering sailed into view in September of 1982, the brainchild of David Whitten (founder). AEC represented David’s firm conviction that Northern New England had a need for a “custom control house” with emphasis on quality design using 21st-century technology.

Working out of his home on Flying Point in Freeport, David put his 20 years of experience with industrial controls and systems into the marketplace. Among the first projects were control systems for a hydro-electric generator station and an oil service ship propulsion control system.

In the years that followed, AEC grew steadily in size and scope. Relationships were formed and new customers became repeat customers. Talented staff were hired and brought new skills and experience to the company. AEC was ambitious and projects ranged from wire harnesses to water treatment plants, and from snow-making controls to SCADA systems. While the core of AEC’s customers was in New England, projects took AEC to California, Illinois, Texas, and even overseas to Korea and Puerto Rico.

Working a plan he set for himself when he purchased the company, Mr. Audesse began organizing for his retirement in 2020. He was introduced to Tim Hooper by a mutual acquaintance and the two began discussing the possibility of a transition. The more Mr. Hooper learned about AEC Engineering and its heritage, the more he could see the potential of the company. With a deep breath, and his fingers crossed, Mr. Hooper purchased the company April 24, 2020, despite being in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic.

Because of AEC’s critical role within the industrial sector of the economy, it was deemed an “essential business” during the pandemic and therefore could remain in operation. Most other businesses & offices were closed, however, including the lawyers and bankers needed to execute the agreement between Mr. Hooper and Mr. Audesse. So with typical AEC ingenuity they arranged to meet everyone in the parking lot of the lawyer’s office, and after a lawyer (complete with facemask) shuttled papers between parties, they were able to celebrate the successful transition with a beer on the tailgate of Tim’s truck.