Michael McConnell

About Michael McConnell

With extensive experience in the energy infrastructure industry, I am a visionary leader who drives innovation, delivers exceptional results, and ensures operational excellence. I have a master\'s degree in business administration and a graduate certificate in financial management, which enable me to develop comprehensive change strategies, optimize processes, and align initiatives with strategic goals.As the Vice President Operations at National Powerline, I oversee high-stakes projects, from concept to completion, with a focus on safety, efficiency, and compliance. I am proficient in project scheduling, infrastructure projects, and union negotiations, and I have multiple certifications in occupational and mine safety. I am also passionate about creating a workplace where every individual\'s contributions are valued and where collective success knows no boundaries. I foster a culture of innovation, equity, and belonging, and I champion inclusivity as a core organizational value.

Experience

1. Vice President of Construction

   Grid United

   Jun 2025 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   I provide strategic and operational leadership for Grid United’s engineering, procurement, and construction portfolio, guiding large portfolio transmission programs that strengthen reliability, resilience, and affordability across North America. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, I build and lead a high-performance construction organization that partners with utilities, regulators, suppliers, and communities to deliver critical infrastructure safely, on time, and within budget.Key Focus AreasOversee the full EPC life-cycle which includes strategy, contracting, execution, and close-out, while serving as the primary interface with utility partners and major suppliers.Direct scope, schedule, budget, and risk management to ensure profitable project delivery and protect shareholder value.Champion a rigorous safety culture, best-in-class quality standards, and strict regulatory compliance across all job sites.Recruit, mentor, and develop a diverse team of construction professionals, instilling accountability and continuous improvement processes that can be replicated across future projects.Implement robust cost-control and performance-reporting frameworks that give executive leadership and investors real-time visibility into project health.Collaborate with internal leaders to codify lessons learned and deploy scalable systems that accelerate delivery of next-generation transmission corridors.By combining disciplined execution with stakeholder partnership and an unwavering commitment to safety, I help transform Grid United’s mission, modernizing the nation’s electric grid into tangible results.

Education

• Northwest Lineman College

  Electric Power Safety Excellence

• Cornell University

  Graduate Certificate, Financial Management

• Ashford University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Organizational Management

• University of Michigan-Flint

  Doctor of Business Administration, Business Administration, Management and Operations

  2024 — 2027

• Norwich University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA

• Cornell University

  Graduate Certificate: Project Leadership

  2016 — 2017