“God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listen more, talk less.”
In 2017, California received an “F” in teaching high school students financial literacy by the Center for Financial Literacy. This year, Junior Achievement will prepare 65,000 children for the real world by showing them how to get a job, start a business and manage their money. Junior Achievement Alumnus and Gala co-chair, Brian Cahill, is doing his part to help San Diego be the first city in our state to change their grade from an “F” to an “A”.
10 Things About Brian Cahill & Junior Achievement
#1 I grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan where my first job was as a busboy.
#2 I am a Certified Construction Manager and a LEED accredited professional. I oversee the work of approximately 300 employees at Balfour Beatty Construction.
#3 My love for philanthropy developed by watching other philanthropic people leading by example.
#4 Nearly 60% of today’s teens don’t think they will be ready to financially support themselves by the time they turn 24.
#5 In 10th grade, I was introduced to the Junior Achievement Company Program which provides teens with the opportunity to create and start a business from the ground up. My team sold radio ads to local businesses and I still practice the fundamental principles which were shared with us through the JA curriculum.
#6 I am living proof it only takes one person to plant a seed that can alter the course of a child’s life. After joining the Junior Achievement Board of Directors in 2005, I played a key role in the construction and successful opening of McGrath Family JA BizTown which is home to over 18,000 fifth graders, each year.
#7 I am proud that Balfour Beatty Construction also built JA’s newest experiential learning center, Mission Fed JA Finance Park. The 6,300 square foot, high-tech facility provides “reality-based” learning, placing students in authentic, real-world scenarios, where they take control of their financial decisions.
#8 For the first time, Junior Achievement’s programs are being delivered to 4,000 students in the San Ysidro School District. This district has our county’s largest homeless student population, with one out of three students facing homelessness.
#9 Our Hall of Fame Gala is hosted and emceed by Junior Achievement students, who also greet guests and share personal stories about how JA has impacted their lives.
#10 Junior Achievement students are required “to network” at the event. One of my favorite parts is watching these young leaders hand out their business cards. I also enjoy seeing the JA kids stand on their stepstools speaking very confidently at the podium to an audience of 400 guests.
Junior Achievement Hall of Fame
Thursday, October 25, 2018
6 pm – 9 pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar
https://www.jasandiego.org
Please feel free to visit www.gbsan.com where you can sign up to receive our weekly e-newsletter.
