ABOUT US
Uniquely Qualified
Ideal Energy Solutions is one of the fastest-growing full-service energy consulting firms in North America and Europe. Energy deregulation now allows large businesses, government entities, municipalities and educational institutions to choose their energy supplier and realize tremendous cost savings.
We provide services to the largest consumers in government, education, real estate, manufacturing, data centers, and industrial sectors. Our clients have unique facility and operational demands that require customized energy procurement and solutions to save them hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars annually.
With over a century of combined experience in every aspect of the deregulated energy market, IES possesses the knowledge to navigate this ever-changing industry.
OUR MISSION
We are a team of specialized consultants united with a single objective: to help our clients reduce costs and consumption by fostering competition.
OUR LEADERSHIP
The IES leadership team brings over a century of collective experience in the energy sector, spanning energy utilities, wholesale trading, retail supply, group purchasing, and energy consulting. Discover more about our team below.
Brett McDonald
CEO
Brett McDonald is a seasoned finance and energy professional with a diverse career spanning investment banking, hedge fund portfolio management, and the energy sector.
A longtime resident of Summit, New Jersey and Elverson, Pennsylvania, Brett began his career on the sell side at Sherwood Securities and Deutsche Bank, where he developed a strong foundation in capital markets and institutional finance. He went on to work at the hedge funds Colonial Fund and Pear Tree Capital, managing investment portfolios and honing his expertise in strategic asset allocation and risk management.
Approximately 12 years ago, Brett transitioned into the energy sector, where he has since built deep industry knowledge and a track record of navigating complex market dynamics. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he has been actively involved in raising capital for a number of startups, supporting early-stage companies in achieving growth and scale.
Brett is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he was a dual athlete, competing in both soccer and rugby. He also holds a law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law, further strengthening his analytical and strategic capabilities across business and legal domains.
Cody O'Connor
President
Cody O’Connor is an accomplished energy professional and entrepreneur with more than 18 years of experience in the industry. An honors graduate and avid soccer player from Penn State University- York Campus, Cody built a strong academic foundation that launched him into a career focused on innovation and sustainability in the energy sector.
He began his professional journey working at Real Energy Solutions based in Houston, Texas, where he gained valuable experience in energy procurement and market strategy. He later expanded his expertise at Transparent Energy in New York City, further deepening his knowledge of large-scale energy operations and client-focused solutions.
Driven by a passion for clean and renewable energy, Cody launched his first business with a focus on sustainable power solutions, positioning himself early on as a forward-thinking leader in the transition to greener energy. Building on that success, he went on to found Ideal Energy Solutions LLC, where he continues to lead initiatives that help businesses adopt more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible energy strategies.
With a career defined by innovation, leadership, and a commitment to sustainability, Cody O’Connor remains dedicated to advancing the future of energy through smart, clean solutions.
Simon Cordery
Director of
European Operations
Based in London, England, Simon Cordery leads the European operations for Ideal Energy.
He has over 30 years experience across the energy, clean tech, environmental and property sectors in Europe and the USA, leading businesses and projects across development, delivery and operations.
He has delivered market leading solutions across multiple energy sectors, including solar, energy storage, EV, wind, biomass, anaerobic digestion and hydro. He has been a leader across corporate environmental and energy resilience conversations since their inception in the 1990s, and is recognised for internalising these into core business planning.
Since 2017, he has been leading the UK roll out of EV charging with first Gridserve, and most recently Transport for London, where he set up the UK’s first public / private partnership in the EV charging sector. Simon is an advisor to New Resource Partners in their work around the global energy infrastructure transition, providing them with strategic and tactical board level advice across project engagement and delivery across the property and energy industries.
He has been a trustee of Pure Leapfrog, the UK’s leading impact investment focused energy charity since 2017. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College, and received his MS from Kings College, London. Simon is based in Marlborough, England, with a thoroughly Anglo American family and lifestyle.
Michael Holland
Advisory Board
Michael Holland is an entrepreneur and operator with a strong track record across manufacturing, clean energy, and large-scale real estate development.
He is the Founder and CEO of Catalyst Energy Group, leading the commercialization of advanced energy generation and storage technologies, and serves as COO of FRAMERISE, a technology-driven construction and development platform focused on accelerating project delivery and improving investment returns.
Michael also co-founded, built, and is a co-owner of New England Precision, which has grown into a $60M precision manufacturing company in Vermont. He previously co-founded Lending.com, a national real estate lending platform acquired by Blackstone.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Vermont and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
A former Olympic ski jumper, Michael competed on multiple World Championship teams, is a World Cup Champion, and a former world record holder. With a hands-on leadership style, he brings a unique ability to integrate energy innovation, operational execution, and capital strategy to deliver high-impact, sustainable solutions.
Paul S. Hoffman
Advisory Board
Paul S. Hoffman is a member of the Advisory Board of Ideal Energy Solutions, LLC, bringing extensive business and financial expertise to help high-energy corporate users reduce costs through strategic procurement and risk management.
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With an undergraduate degree in accounting and an MBA in Finance and Banking, Paul previously served as an Officer at Goldman Sachs, Vice President at The Bank of New York, and Director of Public Markets at TIAA. He has held Treasurer and Senior Investment roles at major Florida banks and brings deep experience in treasury operations, financial strategy, and asset management.
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Paul has ghostwritten six business and investment books for major publishers, five of which became bestsellers. He has also served as the Treasurer for numerous community and organizational boards, including initiatives focused on community parks, at-risk children, magazine publications, Homeowners associations, and the Team USA Olympic committee for Pentathlon/Obstacle Racing.
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A former Team USA member, Paul combines disciplined leadership with proven financial acumen. His background positions him to provide valuable insights that support Ideal Energy’s mission of delivering significant cost savings and efficient energy solutions for large-scale clients.