| First & Last Name | Megan McKay |
| Company | Mod Wattage Electric |
| Title/Occupation | Owner / Electrician |
| modwattage@gmail.com | |
| Phone | 402-904-9459 |
| Tell us about your family. | I have two daughters: Camdynn is 20 and Delainey is 18. I have one younger sister, Ashlei, three nieces and a nephew. |
| What would be the theme song of your life right now? | “I Hold On” by Dierks Bentley. Starting a new (very physical) career at age 38 has been fun, exhausting, terrifying and so rewarding. Having to step-back in order to build a new business can be overwhelming, but it’s humbling to “right-size” your life in terms of finances and possessions to make it happen. |
| Name a recent movie you watched that blew you away? | I recently watched a 4-part series titled “11 Minutes” about the tragic Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas. |
| What are you currently binge watching? | Just finished watching all 275 episodes of Cheers |
| Best restaurant you’ve ever been to? | I love Johnny’s Cafe in Omaha |
| If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? | Nachos |
| Favorite place you’ve traveled? | In 2011, my dad and I took my daughters (then 9 and 7) to New York City for a week. It was amazing. |
| What did you want to be when you grew up? | A Chef |
| Where are you from? Where did you go to school? | I was born in the sandhills, but have lived in Lincoln since I was 8. Our family moved a lot in my early years. I attended Blessed Sacrament, Hartley, Lakeview, and Calvert elementary schools, went to Lefler and Scott Middle Schools, and graduated from Southeast High in 2001. I graduated from Doane University with a Master of Arts in Management in 2018. |
| What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? | I won a young author’s award in Elementary School. |
| What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever done? | I once took my girls on a week-long driving vacation without any plans. We ended up in the Grand Canyon before heading home. |
| What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? | In my former career, I spent a great deal of time writing policy and procedure, creating training programs and organizing meetings. |
| If you could have a super power, what would it be? | Master of Time – there’s never enough. |
| When you’re not working, how do you enjoy spending your time? | I don’t believe in boredom. I have more hobbies than I have time for. I love to do anything and everything craft related, fish, shoot trap, attend concerts, shop estate and garage sales and travel. |
| Who is someone who’s made a big impact on your life? Why? | Every person who ever told me no or that something was impossible. The very notion fuels my drive for success. There is so much satisfaction in being able to complete a job for a customer who was told it couldn’t be done. |
| If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why? | Don Draper – I can’t get enough of his mid century modern office. |
| What do you/did you love the most about your job? | I have a lot of commitments, but only one standing meeting per month. |
| What experiences and past roles have led you to where you are today? | I spent the first 15 years of my adult life working in public safety communications (911 / Dispatching). I am good at shuffling jobs, meeting deadlines and thinking on my feet. |
| What career advice do you live by? Who gave it to you? | I aim to be a servant leader. The most important part of our industry is having the right people in the right place at the right time. Taking care of employees by knowing who they are as people, remembering their birthdays and asking thoughtful questions about their lives and aspirations is invaluable. One of my former supervisors in particular was deliberate in making an effort to do this very thing. |
| What’s one skill you’d like to develop or sharpen this year? | I’ve made so many great connections in the construction industry. I intend to focus on strengthening those relationships and building new ones. |
| What are your future goals and aspirations for your career? | I hope to see more ladies in trade work and aim to be a catalyst for those who think it’s out of reach or not possible. |
| How long have you been a member of HBAL? | Since January 2023 |
| How has your career benefited from being a member of HBAL? | In such a short time, I’ve had the opportunity to meet several HBAL members, exhibited at the Home and Garden Show and participated in Construction Career Day. |
| Any tips or advice for new HBAL members? | Signing up and paying dues is just a formality. Get involved and give back to the industry in some capacity. |
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