Jim Cahill is the regional operating director for consumer solar energy company SolarCity. Before participating in a panel on California’s solar gold rush, he sat down in the green room and revealed that when he’s not helping put up solar panels around Southern California, he’s feeding others-human and squirrel alike.
Q. What’s the last habit you tried to kick?
A. Oh gosh-eating too much! [Laughs.]
Q. What do you forget?
A. My wife’s birthday.
Q. What’s your favorite movie?
A. I’d have to say a Clint Eastwood movie.
Q. When are you at your most efficient?
A. Probably about 11:00 at night.
Q. What’s your fondest childhood memory?
A. Feeding squirrels when I was a kid in Deerfield, Illinois.
Q. What’s the best meal you’ve eaten recently?
A. Homemade spaghetti that I made yesterday.
Q. Where would we find you at 9:00 on a typical Friday night?
A. Probably heading home from work, sadly. On the 10.
Q. What’s the best gift you’ve ever given?
A. I received some inheritance money when I was 25 from my aunt, and I split it up with the rest of my family.
Q. If you could put solar panels anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
A. I would put them in places where they have no energy at all-Third World countries that require them for pumping water, and just basic electricity needs.
Q. What do you wish you had the nerve to do?
A. Run the L.A. Marathon.
*Photo by Aaron Salcido.