McKinstry’s Candice Weiss on Collaboration and Electrical Project Success

Based in Portland, Oregon, Candice Weiss is a Project Manager for McKinstry’s Electrical department, where she guides complex projects from planning through completion. Working closely with field teams, prime contractors and internal partners, Candice coordinates schedules and budgets while ensuring teams have what they need to deliver successful outcomes for clients.

Candice joined McKinstry more than three and a half years ago during a period of transition and growth for the Portland Electrical team. Since then, her role has continued to evolve, requiring flexibility and a willingness to step in wherever needed. “It’s been a lot of wearing multiple hats and filling in where needed,” she said, noting the importance of maintaining steady work for crews as market conditions have shifted.

Her path into construction began well before joining McKinstry. Candice studied architectural engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before switching her major to construction management, drawn to a field that combined technical problem solving with hands-on work. Through internships during college, she gained experience both in the field and in office settings. “The more I worked on construction sites and watched projects take shape, the more certain I became that construction was where I wanted to build my career,” she said.

Before relocating to Portland, Candice worked for a general contractor in California on large-scale projects, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. After moving to be closer to family, her search for new construction opportunities led her to McKinstry.

Today, Candice describes her role as a balance of coordination, communication and accountability. Much of her work centers on organizing information, managing documentation and serving as a point of connection between teams, while also overseeing project financials. As she puts it, project management is about “getting people the answers they need in a timely manner so they’re not stuck behind roadblocks.”

Several projects have stood out during her time at McKinstry, particularly data center work in Hillsboro. Candice enjoys the complexity and fast pace that come with highly technical facilities. “The more I get to learn about how to build data centers, the more interesting the work becomes,” she said, noting that the sector continues to be a growing focus for the business.

When asked what she wants people to know about McKinstry’s Electrical capabilities, Candice points to the team’s range and adaptability. From controls and fire alarm support to infrared scanning and service-focused work, she highlights the department’s ability to meet a wide variety of client needs, along with the continued growth of the Portland Electrical Service group.