September 22 to September 28, 2016
www.coachellavalleyweekly.com
MEN’S ISSUE
BB INGLE: PROMOTER EXTRAORDINAIRE DAVID HERRLINGER: CHARITY: PET RESCUE CENTER BY TRACY DIETLIN VICE PRESIDENT, HOT PURPLE ENERGY BY HEIDI SIMMONS CHARITY: GO RED FOR WOMEN
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look at Go Red as a celebration of the heart, but it’s really a focused mission to educate woman on how to recognize heart symptoms and live a heart healthy life,” said David Herrlinger, VP, Hot Purple Energy. ”The ability to save so many lives by spreading the word about the need for smarter lifestyle choices is an extension of my work at Hot Purple Energy.” Herrlinger, a former real-estate developer, partnered with former contractor, Nate Otto, in 2009 to form a solar integration business. They chose the name Hot Purple Energy because it sounded creative, fun and energetic. ”Our goal is to raise the bar in how solar is done and how a solar company operates within the community. Rooftop solar is one side of the energy equation, consumption is the other.” said Herrlinger. ”We strive to think outside the box to convey the best way forward. Our success is based on making smart choices today for the long term.” Hot Purple Energy has helped thousands of private homes and businesses reduce energy use by recommending smart energy choices without even installing solar. ”We believe in education and have an honest relationship with our clients,” said Herrlinger. ”On one hand we are a home improvement company, but on the other, we are promoting a monumental shift in how we power our community.” As a company, Hot Purple Energy supports many CV charities and they are often seen at local events providing mobile solar energy for lighting, music and vendors. For Herrlinger, it is a special honor to be appointed the first male to be chairperson for the Go Red Women luncheon. He will also serve as the chairperson for the local chapter of the American Heart Association during February’s heart awareness month. ”Go Red has a real and measurable preventative effect on our valley’s women.” Herrlinger grew up in Cincinnati and everyone in his family now lives on the east coast. He’s single. ”I’m here with my dog,” said Herrlinger. Hot Purple Energy has been awarded Small Business of the Year in California and the Most Green Company in Palm Springs. Sir Richard Branson is someone who most resonates with Herrlinger. ”He’s an entrepreneur who challenged the status quo from day one,» said Herrlinger. «He has beat the odds, remained humble, founded global charities, leads the carbon-war and other notable enterprises. And most of all, he‘s never lost his desire for adventure and fun.“ For Herrlinger, Branson is living proof that being a successful entrepreneur isn’t about being selfish or greedy, but inspiring others and giving back. Herrlinger is passionate about alternative innovations and sustainable technology. He is especially pleased that his business continues “
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to be fun and exciting. But his passion doesn’t stop there. When he is not at work, he loves to ride his motorcycle and explore the world. He even keeps a motorcycle in Europe. “Some people have kids, some have vacation homes, I have my motorcycles,” said Herrlinger. “I guess it speaks to my inner cowboy.” Two favorite movies of Herrlinger’s are Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Shawshank Redemption. An animal lover and squash player, Herrlinger is looking forward to the new world class squash court at Venus De Fido, a spa and gym in Palm Desert for people and their beloved pets. “Founder Lindi Biggi is great and it’s awesome what she is doing,” said Herrlinger. Hot Purple Energy will be a sponsor at the next Energy Summit in Palm Springs. Last year’s event was dominated by solar naysayers who fear dwindling profits because solar farms and rooftop systems are saturating the daytime grid with excess energy they cannot sell. “It’s our hope to bring the reality of rooftop solar to the forefront and not let it get lost in lobbyist sound bites or politics,” said Herrlinger. ”There is so much pressure to remove solar incentives,” said Herrlinger. ”Utility companies are looking out for their best interests and bottom line. They’re powerful and will continue to do that. At Hot Purple Energy, our job is to be advocates, facilitators and educators of a better thing. That’s how we are able to maintain our mission. We all want technology to advance, but we want to make sure energy is safe, cost-effective and sustainable. That’s our goal.” Herrlinger wants to change the world for the better and he and Hot Purple Energy are doing it here in the CV while making it fun. “It’s all about supporting the local community. It’s not about dollars and cents all the time, but doing the right thing. We’re not a civilization if we’re not cultivating the arts and giving back. We can do this without sacrificing our quality of life by just being smarter and thinking clearly about the future.”
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f you love a good party, and have been in the Coachella Valley for any period of time, you most likely have heard of BB Ingle, and most certainly have attended one of his monster parties. He has always had an affinity for bringing people together in celebration, and has taken his love for creating events into a career that has spanned over 32 years in the Coachella Valley. BB was born and raised in Alabama. After going to college in his native state, he moved to Nashville, TN. He started working for a new ground breaking restaurant chain, TGI Friday’s. In the early 80s he became part of their bartending team that traveled throughout the country opening up new restaurants. The team eventually came to the Coachella Valley in 1983 to open a Palm Desert location. They were scheduled to only be in the area for no longer than a month, but they became enamored by the inviting weather, golf courses and resort atmosphere. They decided to stay longer, eventually making the Coachella Valley their home and followed their dream to open up their own restaurant complete with a sports bar, dancing, live music and great food. With determination and the help of investors, the groups dream became a reality and BB O’Brien’s was born. The popular nightspot had a healthy 12 year run and was sold in 1995. The nightspot was a constant in desert nightlife, known for events such as their huge St. Patrick’s Day parking lot party. After it was sold and then eventually closed, BB decided to keep the party going by creating yearly events. He started by hosting parties at local resorts, hotels and nightclubs…and eventually at the Palm Springs Convention Center. In recent years, BB’s parties have grown into major events, with anywhere from 3,000 to over 5,000 attendees. Parties such as his Annual Halloween Bash and New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball are cemented in as yearly must attend Coachella Valley events. After 32 years the events have become legendary, entertaining desert party goers for decades and earning BB the Master of Events and Godfather of Parties title that he has today. He is also the three time winner of our own Coachella Valley Weekly’s “Promoter of the Year” award. “I try to host about six major parties a year,” said BB. This past year BB was also brought aboard as a producer and promoter of the first ever Comic Con Palm Springs, which turned out to be a huge success with almost 15,000 in attendance! There have been many memorable party moments for BB as one could imagine. One of his favorites is when he gets to go on stage and sing “Sweet Home Alabama” with the band. Another party highlight was the time he sky-dived into a party at the El Dorado Polo club. There is no wonder why he is the master. His passion for animals has led him to
work closely with the Pet Rescue Center, donating a portion of his party proceeds to them. His drive to create parties doesn’t seem to be slowing down for BB, “I’ve had a passion for social gatherings and creating situations for people to meet since I was a young boy,” said BB. “After 32 years of parties, we have all ages from 21 to 75, many of our original party goers’ children now attend. What makes me feel like all the hard work is worth it is when someone comes up to me and says ‘BB, thank you so much, if it wasn’t for your party I wouldn’t have met my soul mate.’ That is very rewarding and it has happened multiple times,” added BB. He said it made him seriously consider going into the wedding planning business. On his down time, he enjoys golf, tennis, and of course college football; with his University of Alabama Crimson Tides close to his heart. In the Fall, BB takes a respite from the desert heat and travels back to Alabama to visit family and attend Alabama football games. Despite his party icon demeanor, BB is actually a private person. When asked what people would be surprised to know about him, he shared that he once was an 8th grade history teacher. Never would have guessed that one. While BB tries to throw a party once every couple months, he’s thinking about re-inventing himself a bit in 2017. He has several new endeavors including opening a new dance club. “So many people keep asking me when I’m going to open another club, so I think 2017 might be the time to do it,” he shared, excited to be taking on another project. BB Ingle has become part of the party tapestry here in the Coachella Valley. He has created iconic parties and has done what he has loved all along, to bring people together in celebration. Here is to another 32 years BB!