Our Team
James Barker, ChFC®, CLU®
- Owner and Founder
- Chartered Financial Consultant
- Chartered Life Underwriter
Since 1986, Jim has been a wealth management professional and leader. Jim began his career with the intention of starting an independent financial services company that does not sell financial products. This avoids conflicts with client interests.
After 10 years of working on the retail broker/dealer side of the investment world to learn the inner workings of the industry, he decided it was time to focus more on client needs, not sales, and thus Barker Financial Group, Inc. was born in 1997.
Jim’s designations include Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter. He is a member of the Investment Managements Consultants Association. He has earned degrees from the University of Maine in Business Management and Resource Economics.
Jim is a Paladin Registry - 5 Star Rated Advisor, their highest professional ranking. We invite you to click on the Paladin "Five Star Advisor" Icon to the left to learn more.
Hollis Carlisle
- Former Bank Trust and Investment Officer
Hollis has been managing investment portfolios since 1987 and joined Barker Financial Group, Inc. in 2000. Clients benefit from her knowledge of asset allocation strategies and diversification methods, as well as her administration experience.
Hollis started her career working as a new business officer for the trust department of a national bank. She quickly became assistant to the Chief Investment Officer, and learned firsthand how to build portfolios of individual stocks. She subsequently began to develop her own clients and handle the investment of those accounts, which led to 12 years of direct management of individual stock and bond portfolios amounting to more than 90 million dollars of combined client assets.
Hollis now manages client relationships in Vermont. She also serves as liaison to the custodial firms through which we manage client accounts.
Hollis is chairman of the Endowment Committee of her local church. She serves as a member of the board of The Help Fund, a fund of last resort for low-income residents. She also mentors two local individuals with AIDS. In addition, she helps to support a local indigent child.
Paul L. Chern, ASA, EA, MAAA
- Owner of PCA Benefits Group, Inc.
- 35 Years of Pension and Employee Benefits Experience
- Actuary in Employee Benefits
- Enrolled Actuary in Pensions
Paul has worked in the pension industry for more than 35 years as an actuary and administrator. In his capacity as an Enrolled Actuary, he has advised clients on funding and investment strategy, working with both for-profit and nonprofit companies with one to more than 1,000 participants.
Prior to starting his own firm, Paul was president of Pentad, a midsized actuarial consulting firm. After 30 years of working for large and midsized actuarial consulting companies, he started PCA Benefits Group, Inc. in 2002.
Paul has degrees from the University of Oregon (MS in Mathematics) and Northeastern University (MS in Actuarial Science).
Chris Sadkowski, CFP®, MPA
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional
A devotee of the fee-only, client-oriented approach to financial and investment planning, Chris founded and managed Christopher Financial Advisors for 10 years before joining Barker Financial Group, Inc. in 2006.
Chris has the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ or CFP® certification, which is one of the highest professional marks for comprehensive financial planning, and he is an investment diversification specialist. He has helped numerous families and individuals restructure investment portfolios and retirement plans.
Chris has degrees from the University of Pennsylvania (BA in Economics 1973), Syracuse University Maxwell School (Master of Public Administration 1974), as well as 28 years of experience counseling organizations and individuals.
