Company History

When Mark Cannella first started Home Energy Consultants, a home energy auditing business, in Cleveland, Ohio in 1995, the terms "green" and "carbon footprint" weren't even part of the everyday vernacular. Little did he know that his business would eventually become the model for one of the nation's fastest-growing franchises…

Pro Energy Consultants, the nation's first home energy audit franchise, was formed September 2008 when Arizona-based PEC Holdings, LLC joined forces with Home Energy Consultants. However, the model for a national home energy auditing company was originally conceived in 2006. The company’s mission is to maximize the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings and reduce energy costs—ultimately creating a healthier environment. The vision of the company is to be the leader in the energy auditing and consulting industry.

Pro Energy Consultants was created by three partners: Mark Cannella, Kris Simonich and Derek Sola. These three managing partners are nationally renowned energy and franchise experts. At the founding of Pro Energy Consultants, Cannella’s existing business became a company owned store and was regarded as a model for future franchisees.

When Simonich and Sola first met Cannella, they were struck with the scale of the opportunity and the lack of competition at the national level in the residential energy efficiency auditing market. Energy efficiency is a vastly underappreciated opportunity for businesses, sitting right at the junction of helping people to save money, live well, and do the right thing for the environment.

“While more and more Americans are becoming green conscious, all Americans are interested in saving money,” said Simonich. “If we can meet the universal need to save money and the rapidly expanding desire to help the environment, then all the better.”

Cannella is regarded as an expert in energy auditing. Simonich and Sola are experienced at franchising nationally. Working with Cannella, Simonich and Sola developed the systems, processes and manuals to offer franchises and help these franchises to succeed.

The company began offering franchises in October 2008. The first franchisee signed up in December. By July 2009 (after just 9 months), the company had already awarded 25 franchisees.

To assist with the company's franchising efforts, Suave Brachowski joined as director of franchise operations and support in February 2009. In June, Jeff Pizzino joined as director of corporate communications, and in July, Mike Marach joined as director of business development training. The operations department expanded in July 2010 when Perry Carrao joined as franchise support manager.

Effective April 7, 2011, Merrymeeting Group (MMG) and Mark Cannella partnered to acquire the assets of PEC Holdings, LLC. MMG is a diversified investment firm specializing in franchised, technology and professional services businesses. MMG currently owns 6 other franchise systems and supports more than 1,700 franchise locations worldwide.

Pro Energy Consultants’ vision is to become America’s first name in energy auditing by providing customized, comprehensive, diagnostic energy audits designed to maximize a home’s or light commercial building’s comfort and energy efficiency while reducing energy costs.