Our Team

Our Team

Jim Pellitteri, CFP®, AIF®

Jim has been in the investment industry for 40 years. He co-founded North Country Financial Group in 1995 because he believed in the value of offering objective financial advice to his clients. Jim is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM  Professional.  As a CFP®, Jim uses a holistic approach to make sure his advice fits his client’s situation and goals. He specializes in retired and near-to-be-retired clients.

Jim has been married for 54 years to his wife, Betsy. They have five children and 12 grandchildren. His oldest son, Terrence, is also a CFP® and a partner at North Country Financial Group.  Jim has been on the Jewett Town Board for 14 years. He also keeps busy with woodworking and repairing things in his shop.

Sherman Baker, AIF®

“I truly enjoy helping my clients work toward achieving their financial goals, no matter at what stage in life they may be. After 21 years of working in the financial planning field, I recognize the true value of independent, objective financial advice. Relationships forged early in my career continue on with the next generation becoming clients, following the good habits of their parents.”

After graduating from SUNY Cobleskill in 1977, Sherman worked in the family business, becoming a partner after five years. The experience gained then became instrumental when a new opportunity opened up 12 years later when he helped found North Country Financial Group. Sherman continues to attend workshops and industry conferences, gaining knowledge and benefiting from sessions with leading industry experts.

Sherman lives in the town of Hoosick with his wife, Sandra. In his free time, he enjoys being with family and assisting his son Lucas on the family farm. This connection to the farm and family is important to Sherman as the farm approaches an important milestone—100 years of continuous family-run operation. Sherman’s hobbies include learning about American history, as well as working on antique and classic cars. An active member of the local Kiwanis Club, he participates in fundraising events for youth at the town, county, and state levels.

Terrence J. Pellitteri, CFP®, AIF®

Terrence (TJ) has been serving clients at North Country Financial Group (NCFG) for more than 25 years. TJ specializes in asset protection, employee benefits, retirement, estate, and tax planning. In 2004, TJ enrolled in a rigorous financial planning program at The College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, the culmination of which was the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation in 2007.  In addition to the CFP®, TJ is also an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®). 

“My job is very gratifying. I love teaching clients new strategies or investment concepts and working with them to implement those ideas in their overall financial planning. I’m honored to have the trust of my clients and truly enjoy seeing them benefit from our collaboration.”

Family is most important to TJ. TJ’s father, Jim, also a partner at NCFG, is responsible for introducing TJ to the business. They have worked together for over 25 years. TJ is married with two young girls. His favorite thing is watching (and making) them laugh.

TJ has a second home at Stratton Mountain Resort, where he enjoys snowboarding in the winter and the cooler air in the summer. It’s just a short drive to our Hoosic Falls office.

Kurt Parde, AIF®

Kurt is a financial advisor because he knows that folks who need help planning, saving, and investing are not always comfortable seeking help. Kurt strives to put everyone at ease as he helps his clients choose the best strategies for their life circumstances. He specializes in employer-sponsored retirement plans and risk management.

Being a farmer’s son from Kansas, Kurt follows the wisdom from his upbringing to help his clients. Preparation leads to better harvests. Growth takes time. Get rid of weeds. Bad weather will strike, but the sun will shine again. These are useful metaphors when planning our financial futures and accepting the path to get there.

Kurt and his wife, Claire, moved to upstate New York in 2007 when their first child was born. Claire has been the executive director at the not-for-profit Healthcare Consortium in Hudson, New York, for more than a decade. Their son is in high school, where he runs cross country and track and is a history buff, while their daughter is a great middle school student who also has been winning ribbons as an equestrian. Kurt is an avid gardener who loves sharing his green, flower-filled space along with craft cocktails. He also serves on the Village of Athens, New York, planning board.