Independent Energy Solutions

IES Management Team

Linda Strand - CEO / President

Ms. Strand is the founder of IES and is responsible for business development, administration and finance. She has over 25 years experience in business development and environmental and natural resources management including organizations such as General Dynamics and the California State Department of Parks and Recreation. Strand is highly involved in numerous environmental and business organizations and has co-chaired many women’s business leadership programs. Since starting IES in 1998, she has led the company through 12 years of sustained consecutive growth. Strand holds a BS in natural resource management from California State University, Sacramento with post-graduate work at California State University, Fullerton.

Troy Strand - Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Strand has over 22 years experience in system design, engineering, and integration of complex photovoltaic power systems. Within IES, Troy leads business development and sales activities, and is responsible for the financial health of the company. Additionally, he is responsible for advising the organization and its clients on existing and emerging technologies that exist in the rapidly growing solar industry. Troy is a respected authority on solar energy, and has published numerous technical and white papers; conducted pioneering research at the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL); and has served on several Standards and Codes making committees for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the National Electric Code (NEC Article 690). Throughout his career, he has personally overseen the design and installation of hundreds of photovoltaic power systems in the U.S. and around the world. Troy holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Fullerton.

Jay Miller - Vice President of Operations

Mr. Miller brings well over 20 years of project management experience to the IES PM Team. Jay spent 22 years at McBride Electric with his last position being Director of Operations. While at McBride he had oversight of over 10 MW of PV Solar installations for various Fortune 500 companies. Prior to that he held an Engineering Technician position with Envisions Engineering and is a 6 year US Navy veteran serving on the submarine USS Houston (SSN-713). Mr. Miller is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute and holds an AS in Nuclear Technologies from Excelsior College.

Donovan Jones - Director of Construction

Mr. Jones is a licensed electrical contractor in California and Arizona with certifications in photovoltaics (PV), on-site power generation and data/telecommunications. In 2001, he founded his own company, E² Electrical Contractors and began working with IES in 2003. In 2008, E² merged into IES and Jones was named Director of Construction for the combined organizations. He has installed more than 100 PV systems worldwide.

Brian Dersch, P.E. - Director of Engineering

Mr. Dersch is an Electrical Engineer with over 7 years experience in the construction industry and over 4 years of PV experience. Brian has worked on over 85 construction projects totaling $60 billion and 7MWs of PV systems totaling $35Million. Brian brings a strong electrical engineering background to IES and has worked with groups such as Syska Hennessy Group, Inc., Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP, and Delta Engineering, Inc. Among many other projects, Brian has engineered large photovoltaic systems, electrical infrastructure projects, and power distribution systems. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northern Illinois University, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and holds a Professional Engineer (PE) license in the State of California.

Brad Souza, M.E. - Director of Business Development

Mr. Souza has over 13 years experience in renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand response, building commissioning, distributed generation, cogeneration, advanced metering infrastructure, and mechanical engineering design. He has a deep understanding of building energy use, and has managed several utility programs providing energy efficiency and demand response services to commercial and industrial customers. Brad has been instrumental in developing new business with utility clients as well as end users and specializes in integration of various technologies and approaches. This integrated approach provides customers with higher value across the project life cycle. Brad’s background also includes measurement and evaluation of utility energy efficiency and distributed generation incentive programs, and large research projects regarding energy use in commercial buildings. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Resources Engineering from Humboldt State University, a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Southern California, and is a licensed Mechanical Engineer in California.

Gayle Williams - Manager of Finance & Administration

Gayle Williams is a specialized accounting professional with 15 years of accounting and management experience in the construction field, including 3 years of experience in the PV field. She employs great knowledge and proficiency of accounting principles. At IES, Gayle supervises the Contract Administration and Front Office Administration. Moreover, she ensures accuracy in general ledger processing, reconciling accounts, monthly financial statements, managing risk insurance policies, and processing payroll. Additionally, Gayle oversees the process of certified payroll, ensuring the implementation of prevailing wages as required.