Constant Curiosity and Connection: Cass Young’s Journey at McKinstry

From supply chain to project engineering, Cass Young has built her career at McKinstry by staying curious, embracing change and forming strong relationships along the way. Today she serves as a project engineer on the Low Voltage team, where she continues to grow her skills and support projects that keep McKinstry’s systems running efficiently.

Cass joined McKinstry a little over three years ago as a supply chain coordinator focused on rental equipment for field teams across all regions. The role gave her an early look at how many moving parts come together to make projects successful. Before McKinstry, Cass worked at another company that wasn’t the right fit and decided to seek an environment that valued growth and collaboration.

Cass quickly became known for her ability to take on challenges and adapt at McKinstry. After several years in supply chain, she made the move to the Low Voltage team to pursue new opportunities for career development and leadership. “The Low Voltage team has given me awesome opportunities to learn and grow, not just technically but as a professional and a leader,” she said.

In her current role, Cass manages the setup and coordination of projects including ordering materials, scheduling manpower for field crews and keeping operations on track. Her days are rarely the same, which she enjoys. “Every week looks different, and that keeps things interesting,” she said.

Continuous learning has been a major part of Cass’s journey. She recently completed two eight-week courses — Foreman Basics and Project Management Basics — that focus on leadership, communication and project alignment. “Training gave me tools to strengthen communication and leadership that I can bring back to my team right away,” Cass said. The courses also deepened her understanding of how McKinstry’s field and office teams can work more closely together.

When Cass describes success, she focuses less on milestones and more on growth. “My goal is not just to do tasks but to understand why I’m doing them,” she said. “I want to keep learning, asking questions and absorbing everything I can.” That mindset has guided her through new challenges and shaped her approach to work and leadership.

One of Cass’ favorite parts of her time at McKinstry has been the relationships she’s built across departments. She’s worked with nearly every group in the company and believes those connections make the work stronger. “You don’t always need a college degree to succeed in this field,” she said. “Experience and curiosity can take you a long way.” Cass attended Washington State University for a semester before realizing college wasn’t the right fit and chose to gain experience in the workforce instead. “Every step, even the tough ones, led me here,” she reflected.

Cass also sees the Low Voltage team as a critical connector within McKinstry. “A lot of people don’t realize how much our work touches other departments,” she said. “We support HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire protection and more. Our team is small but mighty, and our impact reaches nearly every project McKinstry delivers.”

Cass is grateful for the mentors and teammates who have supported her journey and inspired her to keep growing. “Every experience has shaped who I am and how I show up for the team,” she said. “I’m thankful to work with people who care about each other and who make learning part of the job.”