Andy Backes: A Career Built on Curiosity

Brick by Brick

For Andy Backes, a lifelong love of math, science and building things naturally led him to engineering. As a kid, he could often be found taking things apart to figure out how they worked. His LEGO collection was legendary, and it hinted at what would become a defining trait of his career: curiosity about how all the pieces fit together. Andy’s true passion emerged in exploring the inner workings of buildings and the systems that make them function day to day. That curiosity became the foundation of a career now spanning more than 30 years in the building industry.

After spending over 25 years as a design engineer, Andy felt ready for a new chapter. He had built a strong foundation working on HVAC and fire protection system design, but after decades of the same work day after day, he found himself looking for a change. That shift came nearly five years ago, when he joined McKinstry as a Senior Commissioning Engineer. Moving into commissioning full-time has given him a fresh perspective and a new way to bring all of his experience to bear on projects that matter.

Support and Mentorship Fueled by Passion

Success for Andy means building relationships and trust with his coworkers and clients. He wants McKinstry’s Technical Services team in the Midwest to be the kind of partner that clients return to year after year. His decades of experience have given him the ability to support the team in many ways, whether calculating scopes and fees, mentoring junior staff, joining a sales presentation or simply reviewing a colleague’s work.

“However my experience can provide value, that’s where I want to be,” he says.

Mentorship has become one of the most rewarding aspects of his work. New employees often join him in the field for commissioning tests, giving them a trial-by-fire introduction to the process and a hands-on way to learn. Watching younger staff gain confidence and knowledge has been a highlight of Andy’s career. Additionally, when client expectations are not just met but exceeded, he finds even more reason to be proud.

A Future Focused on Energy and Success

Looking ahead, Andy hopes his work continues to inspire sustainable, energy-efficient design and construction. That focus has been consistent from his early days as a design engineer to his current role in commissioning. Surrounded by teammates who share that passion, he sees every project as a chance to encourage building owners to design, construct and maintain better buildings for future generations.

“It might sound cliché, but I’ve always valued doing something that helps save energy,” he says.

Some of his proudest recent work includes the Madison Metropolitan School District and Racine Unified School District referendum projects. These large-scale, multi-year school construction programs represent nearly $1.5B in investment, with McKinstry selected to ensure systems perform to the highest standards. Being hired for additional rounds of work by both districts while the first phases were still underway, he notes, speaks volumes about the trust McKinstry has built.

“It’s a testament to the entire operations and project management teams, and I’m proud to contribute to that success.”

At the core of his approach is a simple but powerful belief: appreciation matters. Construction is an industry of tight deadlines, tough decisions and direct communication. That can sometimes overshadow the power of a kind word.

“It’s hard to discount the impact of a little appreciation,” he says. “Acknowledging a job well done can go a long way in building relationships that support not just the project at hand, but a successful future in this industry.”