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I first met Cary Hayes back when I was working at Trina Solar circa 2012. He was still at REC Solar (where he has worked in various positions for the better part of the last 15+ Yrs), the well known solar installation company in San Luis Obispo. We bonded over an unforgettable dinner (and too many laughs) I will never forget at the GTM Solar Summit in Phoenix. Cary and I talk about how often the two REC brands he’s represented get confused and how they actually are related! We have a lot of fun in this interview because that’s the kind of human and leader Cary is…he exudes both fun and confidence while remaining one of the most fiercely competitive people I’ve had the pleasure to know. You’re going to love every second of this interview - I sure did.
Cary is now President of REC, an international pioneering solar panel manufacturer that has long been one of the stalwarts and innovators in the solar industry and which recently got acquired by Reliance Industries in a massive deal that positions REC for further market dominance. His journey to that role is anything but ordinary or direct. Listen as Cary regales us with his revelation as a ski bum in CO that he needed to finally get a real job, how he ultimately walked away from “life-changing money” as a top industry consultant in Chicago, and why the siren call of the solar industry has entranced him now for nearly 2 decades. Learn the secret trick he used to land that consulting job (at Smith-Barney no less), and how he chose hard labor at $20 an hour climbing trees in CA on his way to working at REC Solar.
Cary’s 3 pillars for leadership and excellence should go on everybody’s office wall.
And it makes sense, because he has worked with some of the most iconic and impressive leaders, many you maybe have never even heard of. He even tells how one mentor ripping him apart for 15 minutes was actually one of the best things to happen to him. Today we get to sit at the feet of one of my favorite solar leaders, and it’s well worth the investment of time.
Listen to the full interview here at Suncast.
Remember you can always find the resources and learn more about today’s guest, recommendations, book links, and more than 435 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.
You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on Twitter, LinkedIn or email
BOOKS MENTIONED AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
NOTEWORTHY QUOTES:
“The group’s only going to go as fast as the slowest member.”
“We wanted it, we wanted to win so bad we would do whatever it took, and we did.”
“If your energy is not in it, and you’re not putting that energy out there. It doesn’t come back to you. You have to be in the moment.”
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ABOUT THE HOST OF SUNCAST:
Nico Johnson is the creator and host of SunCast, consistently rated a top solar podcast in the clean energy sector. The content of the show is geared towards listeners looking for insights on where the markets are headed, how to position themselves or their companies, and what today's market leaders do to stay ahead of the pack.
Nico is an Investor, Executive Coach, and 15-year veteran of the solar industry, having led development in the US and Latin America for global companies like Trina Solar and Conergy.
You can connect with Nico Johnson on Twitter, LinkedIn or email.
If you’ve been second-guessing your work decisions or maybe trying to reconsider how you "fit" in the renewable energy industry -> grab 20 minutes on Nico's calendar and discuss whether having him as Your personal coach might be the right next step.