Jamie Johnston: Building a Legacy in Sheetmetal

As a teenager, Jamie Johnston was eager to get out into the world and start working. He left high school early, joined a janitorial crew and earned his GED.

“I knew schooling wasn’t for me, but I didn’t have a clear career direction,” Jamie recalled.

He did, however, have a role model — his Uncle John, a union architectural sheetmetal worker who contributed to complex, iconic projects like the Museum of Pop Culture.

When the chance arose to join a residential sheetmetal company, Jamie jumped on it. After a year without health benefits and vulnerable to unpredictable work, Jamie listened to the advice of his uncle who told him about the advantages of union membership, including healthcare and a 401(k). 

“Once that sunk in, I realized how valuable stability could be,” Jamie said.

Jamie eventually applied for and was accepted into an apprenticeship with Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 66, finally landing on a solid career path.

“After I did that, I never looked back,” Jamie said.

Finding a Sense of Belonging

Eighteen years ago, McKinstry recruited Jamie into the Special Projects Group (SPG) from an HVAC service company.

“When the opportunity with McKinstry came up, I knew they were one of the biggest mechanical, electrical and plumbing firms Washington,” Jamie said. “I saw a chance to take on larger, more complex projects and was ready for new challenges.”

Jamie quickly demonstrated his expertise and leadership, rising to general foreman. In this role, he collaborates with project foremen and sales teams to ensure project feasibility and success.

“The SPG team at McKinstry is where I belong,” said Jamie. “My position in this department allows me to be who I am and do things the way I feel are best for our team, the customer and our department.”

Beyond overseeing a wide array of work — from installing exposed ductwork to placing specialized air-handling systems in labs — Jamie also develops training programs for new foremen. He shares lessons from his experience, encouraging continuous learning and growth in the team.

“Jamie Johnston is a visionary who leads with integrity and confidence,” shared Keith Chillem, superintendent. “The team looks up to him and respects him like a true leader. The knowledge Jamie has in the sheetmetal field is a gift for our team.”

Project Variety Keeps Interest Alive

Jamie loves the diversity of his work in SPG with projects that range from several days to many months. These can include custom design-build projects, infrastructure upgrade projects for hospital and data centers that need high levels of coordination and planning to not interrupt services, and large campus new-construction projects.

One of his favorite projects is the variable-refrigerant-flow system his team installed at Kaiser Borsari Hall, Western Washington University’s new electrical and computer engineering, energy science, and computer science building. Constructed with cross-laminated timber, the building is the first publicly funded, zero-energy academic building on a university campus in Washington state. 

“We were able to watch it rise from the ground up and it was so neat how it was done — flying in huge wood panels to create the different levels,” said Jamie. “At the same time, we’d be working underneath the beams inserting hangers for HVAC, plumbing and refrigeration.”

A Vital and Evolving Legacy

Through leading trainings and supervising teams day-to-day, Jamie values imparting McKinstry’s way of working with his younger teammates along with tips for career success and financial well-being, just as his uncle gave him.  

“I appreciate being able to share some of the experiences I’ve had and some of the things that I’ve battled,” said Jamie. “When they apply that learning, maybe tweak it for the better sometimes, and grow it’s good for them, it’s good for the department, and it’s good for the company and our trade.”

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