Paramount Energy Solutions » About Us » Executive Team

Paramount Energy Solutions - Executive Team

Paramount Energy Solutions Owners' and Executive Team members are passionate about providing simple, affordable energy solutions for our customers. Our mission to build a great business with people committed to going the extra mile to save their neighbors money has led Paramount Energy Solutions to where it is today.

As a team, Paramount Energy’s employees are dedicated to world class service and professionalism. Our goal is simple, to make a positive impact in the lives of our customers, our local communities, and our environment. Hayes Barnard – CEO

Hayes founded Paramount Equity with a passion to build great businesses with selfless people who are committed to saving their neighbors money. The first division of the company, Paramount Equity Mortgage, was founded in 2003 and quickly grew to over 300 employees serving customers in six states. To date, PEM has completed over $8 billion in loans making it one of the most successful mortgage banking and sales operations in the country. In 2006, Hayes launched Paramount Equity Insurance Services providing families with cost-effective home, auto, and life insurance policies. Paramount Energy Solutions was created in 2009 to help customers immediately reduce their energy bills, protect them from rising electricity costs, and preserve the environment by adopting renewable energy technologies.

Along the way, Hayes and Paramount Equity have both received accolades from the communities they serve. This year Hayes has been honored as one of Sacramento Business Journal's 40 under 40 and buildOn awarded Hayes the 2010 Global Impact Award. The company was also recognized as a New California 100 Innovative Business by Golden Capital Network and Hamilton Lane and was awarded first place for all large companies at the Sacramento Business Journal's "A+ Employers" awards. Hayes is a current active member of the Sacramento Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization and serves as the chair for the annual Sacramento Liquidity Event. He also serves on the board for the Positive Coaching Alliance.

Hayes graduated from the University of Missouri with a BA in Business Management and Marketing. He established his career in the Silicon Valley at Hitachi Data Systems before moving on to positions with Oracle Corporation. From 1995-2003, he worked in a variety of sales, management, and marketing capacities where he was responsible for Oracle's most strategic global accounts.

Matt Dawson - Vice President of Paramount Energy Solutions

As one of the owners and founders of Paramount Equity, Matt has been responsible for launching many of the company's critical strategic initiatives. His gift for evaluating business opportunities and taking them from ideas to impementation has allowed the company to thrive and grow.

Matt's passion for the environment and talent for business has put him at the head of the the energy division at Paramount Energy Solutions.

Matt graduated from the University of Missouri with a BA in Finance and is a mortgage banking industry veteran with over 9 years of experience in this field. After graduating college he managed several mortgage banking branches throughout the mid-west. Shortly thereafter, Matt and the other owners began designing plans to open a company aimed at helping homeowners save money. Matt is very proud of the company he and the team have built and looks forward to expanding into other complimentary industries in the near future.

Michele Magee - Chief Marketing Officer

Michele joined the Paramount Equity team in 2005 as the company's VP of Marketing where she built an in-house advertising agency. In addition to buying radio advertising in as many as 17 cities with nearly 185 radio stations at a given time, she and her team have established the company as a very successful new media advertiser utilizing search, content and lead generation strategies. The team has also produced TV campaigns, automated marketing systems, and various branding packages for Paramount Equity's new entities. She was responsible for implementing database technologies and building Paramount Equity's in-house telemarketing department. She also handles all public relations initiatives and event management projects.

In 2006 and 2007, Michele added direct responsibility for the Human Resources, Asset Management, Business System/IT, Administrative Service, Recruitment, and Legal departments. In 2008, she launched the Home First sales divisions which serve the changing needs of the company's past customers.

Prior to joining the Paramount Equity team, Michele worked in radio sales and station management capacities for EZ Communications, American Radio Systems, and Infinity Broadcasting over a 15-year period. She's owned two companies, including a chain of five retail franchise locations and a magazine publishing company. Michele graduated from the University of the Pacific with a BS in Business Administration and Marketing.

Oliver Koch - Chief Operating Officer