Skip to main content

Dr. Vo, the Solar Pro

In this episode, The Solar Pro . . .


Have you ever considered your impact on people? Whether in a group or individual setting, do you think about the impression you make? In previous podcasts, I've honored my friend, Doan Vo, highlighting the enduring impact of seemingly small actions that make lasting impressions.


Recently, a birthday luncheon was hosted for Dr. Vo at the Phoenix Renewable Services (PRS) headquarters in Carlsbad, CA., with a staff of about 30 present. I was invited to attend, working from home that day. As we greeted the employees with a warm smile and a handshake, the question kept coming up:

“Are you going to sing another song for this event like last time?”

I was somewhat shocked–you see– the "Take Me Home"  song (click the link for those who missed it) was written and performed over two years ago. Despite feeling a bit silly at the time and experiencing some embarrassment while performing it, I was surprised that the staff remembered it, especially since I had not seen them since.

I responded, “No, song, but I have written a poem. Would you like to hear it?”

“Absolutely,” was their excited response. Well, here it is:

Have you heard of Dr. Vo?





He's the best in the biz, don’t you know!
When solar systems sputter and stop,
It’s Dr. Vo who’s first to hop—

On the scene, with tools in hand,
The smartest man in all the land!

At Cenergy, he’s O&M’s head,
Keeping every solar panel fed.
He’s the lead of the V-Team crew,
There’s no solar job he can’t do!
With NextWave software shining bright,
He led its launch—what a sight!

Headed home from a trip to the U.S.A.,
Dr. Vo shared knowledge along the way,
With teammates from Vietnam, far and wide,
Together, they worked side by side.

Las Vegas lights? He took the team!
Then, off to Disneyland for a dream.
Through it all, he laughed and smiled,
For Dr. Vo has quite the style.

Now a birthday’s drawing near—
Seventy years of solar cheer!
On October 28th, it’s time to shout,
“Happy Birthday, Dr. Vo!”
Let’s all sing out!

A solar wizard, a leader bold,
With wisdom brighter than gold!
So here’s to Dr. Vo, the solar king—
For all the joy and light you bring!

My listening friends, never underestimate your influence on others. Sometimes, a small gesture can unknowingly build a strong human connection. Giving gifts is not just about buying gifts; it's also about sharing experiences through music, poetry, conversation, laughter, and a meal.

The human connection!

I’m Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

(Safe travels, my friend).

Comments

Most Popular of All Time

From Mailbox to Microphone

In this episode, catching up with Sierra . What happens when you combine a little imagination, modern digital tools, and the willingness to make a glorious, muddy mess? You get our guest’s latest project. I’m Patrick Ball. Welcome back to On the Fly . Today, we are diving into the world of native plants and guerrilla gardening with twelve-year-old creator Sierra. After watching her impressive, self-produced tutorial on how to make ‘Seed Balls,’ I had to know how she did it. It’s incredibly inspiring to watch Sierra evolve from a young artist wielding crayons and stationery into a savvy digital creator. She’s writing scripts, mastering voiceovers, and editing—all to make a positive, green impact on her local community. “She shoots, she scores, and she’s here to tell us all about it.” Please welcome Sierra to On the Fly ! Let’s get into it. Audio interview . . . For more blog posts showcasing Sierra’s talents, see: The Mailbox Surprise . . . and The Summer Surprise I’m Patrick Ball. Sta...

The AI Debate Was Settled in 1954

In this episode, what a 70-year-old sci-fi mystery teaches us. Welcome back to On the Fly. I’ve been looking for a clear way to explain how we should be handling Artificial Intelligence today. I finally found the answer hidden in a book I just finished. The twist? It was written more than seventy years ago. Isaac Asimov's The Caves of Steel was published in 1954, when a computer filled an entire room, consumed enough electricity to dim the neighborhood, and had roughly the computing power of today's microwave. Yet Asimov set his story nearly 3,000 years in the future—a world where humanity lives in sprawling enclosed cities (New York) and depends on advanced technology for nearly every aspect of daily life. The remarkable part isn't how much of the technology he imagined. It's how accurately he predicted us. In Asimov's future, society struggles with the introduction of highly sophisticated humanoid robots powered by "positronic brains." Naturally, a lou...

Resurrecting the '90s Graphite

Let’s face it, there’s a certain danger in reading John Gierach's Trout Bum . His wit, self-deprecation, and sharp, effortless satire are entirely infectious. If you aren't careful, his words will inspire you to drop everything, wade into a freezing river, and try to outsmart a creature with a brain the size of a lentil. In my case, re-reading Gierach recently didn't send me straight to the river. It sent me digging through the dusty, spider-guarded corners of my garage. In the early 1990s, seeking a natural escape from Manhattan's concrete canyons, I decided to learn to cast a fly rod. I bought an Orvis Rocky Mountain —eight-and-a-half feet, three ounces, built for a five-weight line—and had absolutely no idea how to use it. To avoid aimlessly whipping the water like scrambling eggs, I took fly-fishing lessons from Al Cucci, co-author of Hatches , on the Delaware River. With his guidance, I fished renowned waters: the AuSable in New York and Michigan, and New Jersey...

The Birth of a Cubs Legend

In this episode, The 162-Game Exhale — and the Birth of a Cubs Legend There’s a hush in the baseball world on Game 162 — a collective breath drawn in and slowly released. Scoreboards stop flipping. Dugouts empty. For six months, the game has been our steady heartbeat, pulsing from the cherry blossoms of Tokyo in March to the crisp, playoff-charged winds of late September. And now, as the regular season exhales, baseball fans everywhere pause to absorb the story we’ve just lived. For me, that story has been deeply personal. This season unfolded in the rhythms of my daily life. It was the summer soundtrack echoing beneath the constant turmoil of politics and sensational headlines. It was a handful of carefully chosen ballpark pilgrimages stitched together with countless nights in front of MLB.TV. And at the center of it all, for a lifelong Cubs fan like me, it revolved around one name — a young center fielder who turned hope into history: Pete Crow-Armstrong. The 2025 season didn’t begin...