Hi, my name is… Michael O’Donnell. I am the Vice President of Sales for Sunsolar Solutions.
I’ve lived in Peoria for four years and I love it because… My family, business and friends are all here. I also love the epic panoramic landscape and views we are treated to every day. My business partners and our wives recently went up in a hot air balloon and it all became clear how beautiful our desert mountains are.
A typical day in my life includes… A 6:45 a.m. excerpt from “Miracle Morning” (a book about changing your life before 8 a.m.) followed by a “No Matter Watt” call with my team to get our day off to a good start.
My family is… A huge Irish clan. I am the oldest of seven and my children are three of 26 grandchildren and great grandchildren on my side, and three of 41 on my wife Marcia’s side of the family.
One thing I cannot live without is… Sunshine. I received a scholarship to study computer engineering at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California and thought I wouldn’t make it through the month-long fog in the winter and not seeing the sun.
My favorite movie I could never get tired of watching and why… “The Godfather” series. I think in another life I was born to an Italian mobster instead of an Irish New York City cop. In fact, my dad’s cousin was the Irish gangster Mad Dog Vincent Coll that was played by Nicholas Cage in the movie “Cotton Club.”
When I was younger, I wanted to be… The lead singer in a rock band.
The song I would sing at Karaoke night is… Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.”
The last thing that made me laugh out loud was… Sitting with my relatives around the fire telling crazy stories about growing up in our zany family.
The perfect day… Is visiting with two or three families about swapping out their electric bill for a solar system. Then, I’d have dinner with friends and family on my patio. We’d have grilled steaks and enjoy the perfect weather.
My favorite local nonprofit is… St. Mary’s Food Bank. Sunsolar Solutions donates 350 meals for families in need whenever a potential client has us over to show them a solar proposal.
My dream vacation would be… On a private yacht with my wife and friends in the Mediterranean.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received… To take my commitments and goals on a one-day-at-a-time basis.
