OUR STAFF

James J. Puplava, CFP

Puplava Financial Services, Inc.
President & CEO
Chief Investment Strategist
Puplava Securities, Inc.
President & CEO
Registered Representative
Financial Sense & Financial Sense Newshour
Author & Host

Mr. Puplava graduated cum laude in Political Science from Arizona State University. He then went on to graduate with honors with a Master's Degree in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management (Thunderbird). Among his many awards and achievements, in 2007 and 2009 Jim was nominated by his clients and professional peers as one of the San Diego area's best wealth managers.

Jim Puplava's professional designations include Certified Financial Planner; FINRA Series 7 and Series 24; and Life, Disability and Variable Insurance licenses. Mr. Puplava has been President of Puplava Financial Services, Inc. (PFS) since 1985. For twelve years, James Puplava held a position as Branch Manager for LPL Financial Services, LLC. In 1996, Mr. Puplava established the broker/dealer firm, Puplava Securities, Inc. (PSI) and is its President.

His business experience includes contributing as a financial writer to various publications and acting as a TV financial reporter. In 1988, Mr. Puplava began hosting Financial Sense Talkradio on various radio stations in San Diego. Today, Jim Puplava oversees the portfolio management team at Puplava Financial Services, Inc. and Puplava Securities, Inc. He continues his weekly Financial Sense Newshour broadcasts and writes thought-provoking commentary for Financial Sense online.

Mr. Puplava also serves on the Board of Directors for Kimber Resources, Inc. (AMEX: KBX) of Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Jim and his wife, Mary, contribute time and resources to a number of charities. Jim loves historical documentaries, sailing his J-124 and is an avid reader.

Scott A. Middleton

Puplava Financial Services, Inc. 
Chief Operating Officer
Portfolio Manager
Puplava Securities, Inc.
Registered Representative
Financial Sense 
Columnist

Scott holds a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance from San Diego State University. Mr. Middleton's professional designations include FINRA Series 6, Series 7, Series 24, Series 53, and Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam. Mr. Middleton has been employed by PFS Group since 2000. He manages PFS Group's Strategic  Real Return investment objective, and co-manages its Precious Metals Managed Account. He co-authors In the Know—a weekly communication for Jim Puplava's clients only—with other members of the trading staff, and occasionally contributes Market Observations to Financial Sense. Scott is an outdoorsman and enjoys camping with his family.

Thomas J. Smith, CFA

Puplava Financial Services, Inc.
Senior Vice President
Senior Portfolio Manager
Puplava Securities, Inc.
Registered Representative
Financial Sense 
Columnist

Mr. Smith graduated with a BS in Business Administration from San Diego State University. Mr. Smith's professional designations include FINRA Series 7. Mr. Smith joined PFS Group in 2010. He manages the Growth with Income investment objective, and oversees the activities of the Research & Trading Team. He co-authors In the Know—a weekly communication for Jim Puplava's clients only—with other members of the trading staff, and contributes Market Observations to Financial Sense.

With nearly 20 years of experience in the investment management industry—including 10 years with Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management, as well as other asset management and administration experience at Wells Fargo Bank, Dean Witter Reynolds, and Dunham & Associates—Mr. Smith's expertise with comprehensive wealth management solutions is a significant asset to the firm's growing institutional and high net worth clientele.

Tom is a fitness enthusiast and coaches a number of youth sports.

Ryan J. Puplava, CMT

Puplava Financial Services, Inc. 
Portfolio Manager
Technical Analyst
Puplava Securities, Inc.
Registered Options Principal
Registered Representative
Financial Sense & Financial Sense Newshour
Columnist & Guest 

Ryan joined PFS Group in 1995. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance from San Diego State University. His professional designations include FINRA Series 4, Series 7, and Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam. He earned the Chartered Market Technician's designation in 2007. Mr. Puplava is Senior Trading Manager and manages PFS Group's Growth investment objective. He co-authors In the Know—a weekly communication for Jim Puplava's clients only—with other members of the trading staff; he also contributes Market Observations to Financial Sense and is a frequent guest on Financial Sense Newshour. Ryan enjoys sailing, kite surfing, and playing his guitar.

Christopher M. Puplava

Puplava Financial Services, Inc.
Portfolio Manager
Puplava Securities, Inc.
Registered Representative
Financial Sense
Columnist

Chris graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Biochemistry from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He joined PFS Group in 2005 and is currently pursuing the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst. His professional designations include FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam. He manages PFS Group's Energy Managed Account and Aggressive Growth Managed Account, and co-manages its Precious Metals Managed Account. Chris also contributes articles and Market Observations to Financial Sense and co-authors In the Know—a weekly communication for Jim Puplava's clients only—with other members of the trading staff. Chris enjoys the outdoors.

Sandy Pappalardo

Puplava Financial Services, Inc.
Vice President of Compliance & Operations
Puplava Securities, Inc.
Registered Representative

Sandy graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in Economics. Ms. Pappalardo's professional designations include FINRA Series 7, Series 24, Series 27, Series 51 and Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam. Sandy was previously employed by PFS Group during the 1990s and rejoined the team in 2007. Sandy's main hobby is horseback riding and hopes one day to be a horse owner.

Elizabeth A. Pace

Puplava Financial Services, Inc.
Office Manager
Puplava Securities, Inc.
Executive Assistant
Financial Sense
Assistant Editor & Newshour Program Manager

Liz joined PFS Group in 1998. Mrs. Pace serves PFS Group in so many ways that it's hard to list it all. As receptionist, hers is the voice you hear on the phone and hers is the smile that greets you on your first appointment. She astounds Jim with the coups she scores when it comes to lining up guest experts for the Financial Sense Newshour. Liz also helps Adam stay on top of the many page postings and updates to Financial Sense online. Liz enjoys gardening and reading.

Dianne L. Cabrera

Puplava Financial Services, Inc.
Operations Specialist
Puplava Securities, Inc.
Operations Specialist

Dianne joined PFS Group in 2011. Dianne obtained her B.S. in Business Administration/Finance from San Diego State University and has been a Notary Public for over 20 years. She began her career in banking, and has extensive management and administrative experience in wealth management and related fields. Dianne is an avid tennis player, volunteers for San Diego Hospice, sings in a church choir and enjoys spending time with her family.

Cathlyn A. Harris

Puplava Financial Services, Inc.
Sales, Marketing, & Customer Relations Manager
Puplava Securities, Inc.
Registered Representative
Financial Sense & Financial Sense Newshour 
Advertising Manager, Columnist, & Guest

Cathlyn graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Comparative Literature from Dartmouth College and an M.A. in Performance Studies from New York University. Cathlyn joined PFS in 2004. Her professional designations include FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Exam, and her financial services background includes over 12 years working with financial products, including managed futures and hedge funds. She enjoys the time she spends discussing our investments with current and potential clients. In her current position, Ms. Harris has helped to "brand" our group with updated and improved marketing materials, and streamlined client service and back office procedures. She occasionally writes editorials for Financial Sense, and is a guest on Financial Sense Newshour. Cathlyn is a voracious reader and loves the outdoors, singing with choral groups, and experimenting with recipes.

 

Cristofer D. Sheridan

Puplava Financial Services, Inc.
Research Assistant
Puplava Securities, Inc.
Registered Representative
Financial Sense
Webmaster & Senior Editor

Cris joined PFS Group in 2002. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics from California State University/San Marcos. His professional designations include FINRA Series 7 & Series 63; he is currently pursuing the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst. Mr. Sheridan supports our Trading and Operations teams and manages development of and content on PFS Group's Financial Sense educational website. Cris enjoys reading, music and the outdoors.

Adam C. Puplava

Puplava Financial Services, Inc.
Interactive Media Designer
Financial Sense
Interactive Media Designer

Adam joined PFS Group in 2006. He graduated with a degree in Interactive Media Design from The Art Institute of California-San Diego. Adam assists Cris with managing content and creating multimedia for PFS Group's Financial Sense educational website. Adam enjoys sailing and other outdoor activities, and appreciates living close to the beach.