Leading by Example: Shawn Miller Reflects on 24 Years at McKinstry

When McKinstry began building its electrical team, Shawn Miller’s service manager asked if he’d be interested in joining. “I came over to help start the team,” he says. “It was a great opportunity to get in early and be part of something growing.”

Shawn Miller’s career at McKinstry began in 2002. Two decades later, he’s helped build it into what it is today — an experienced, trusted team known for its craftsmanship and collaboration. “It goes by fast,” he says. “You get busy, you look back and suddenly five or 10 years have passed.”

Electrical work runs in Shawn’s family. He’s a third-generation electrician — his grandfather worked for Mountain Bell before the AT&T split, and his father owned his own electrical shop. “I grew up around it,” he says. “At first, it was just a summer job between college classes, but I realized it could be a career.” After a couple of years in school, he decided to focus fully on the trade.

Today, Shawn is a general foreman in McKinstry’s Electrical Service Department. His days include estimating, reviewing project details and supporting field electricians with technical questions. “No two days are the same,” he says. “There’s always a new challenge or a new problem to solve.”

Over the years, Shawn has worked on a wide range of projects — from elevator upgrades at Seattle’s Columbia Tower to generator testing at the Seattle Space Needle. “Those are the jobs that stand out,” he says. “It’s rewarding to be part of work that keeps major landmarks running.”

After more than 20 years, what keeps Shawn motivated is the people and the purpose behind the work. “Ownership has a clear vision,” he says. “They believe in being part of something bigger, and I believe in that too.”

As McKinstry’s Electrical team continues to grow, Shawn focuses on mentoring newer electricians and reinforcing the values that have guided him since the beginning. “Work ethic and safety come first,” he says. “I want newer electricians to be focused, prepared and safe.”

He also wants people outside McKinstry to understand the breadth of the team’s capabilities. “We’ve built high-rises, data centers and tenant improvements in active hospitals,” he says. “We can take on any project, big or small, and we’ll figure it out with the client. That’s what sets us apart.”

In 24 years, Shawn has seen the industry shift from handwritten service orders to digital workflows, but one thing hasn’t changed—the value of teamwork. “I’ve seen a lot of change,” he says. “But it’s always been about people working together and taking pride in the work. That’s what makes McKinstry a great place to be.”