Principal® Financial Network of the Northeast
The Principal® Financial Network of the Northeast is a group of local offices representing Principal® in the upstate New York and New England areas. We are dedicated to helping individuals, businesses and their employees achieve financial security and success in our communities. We proudly represent Principal with integrity and professionalism.
Working with us
If you’re interested in working with us as a financial professional, we’ll provide you a professional and supportive environment that helps you build your knowledge and skills. Learn more about what it’s like to work with us and meet our management team.
See our office locations & financial professionals
If you’re looking for a financial services product, we can help you find a local financial professional at Principal® to discuss your financial needs, as well as purchase life insurance, annuities, securities and investments.
See a list of financial professionals in Upstate New York to contact one directly.
Do you want to make a difference and help others solve problems? We do too. That’s why we want to talk to you about your future with Principal. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to move your business in a new direction, we’ve got your back.
An inclusive culture and tools to build your career
The one thing we have in common is that each of us is different. That’s why we seek diversity in the people we hire. Our inclusion extends to the way we do business with a flexible work culture. That may mean you want to focus on a specific market, be a solo practitioner or join a team. No matter what you choose, we’re here to give you the right tools to build your confidence and help you succeed.
Meet the management team
Now that you know a little about us, we’d like to tell you about the amazing folks you’ll be working with.
Scott Powhida CFP® - Regional Managing Director
Scott began his career in the Financial Services Industry as an Financial Professional with Edward Jones, and then spent 14 years with Key Investment Services, LLC as a Vice President and Financial Professional. In 2014, he started with Principal Financial Group® as a Managing Director. Scott found that his passion lies with motivating and aiding other representatives in growing their business.
Scott is a 1999 Graduate of Siena College in Latham, NY with a Bachelor’s degree of Science in Finance. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Certificant and has his FINRA Series 7, 9, 10, 24, 31, 51, 63, and 65 securities registrations.
Scott has called the Capital Region of New York home all of his life. He enjoys fitness and outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, boating and spending time with his family and friends on Great Sacandaga Lake.
Contact information
518-724-1703
powhida.scott@principal.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Christopher Midecke - Associate Managing Director

Christopher has been Committed financial professional for more than 7 years. He's been with Principal since 2016; previously with MetLife. Christopher specializes in helping individuals and businesses set goals and implement strategies to help achieve financial success. He earned my Bachelor of Science degree from Medaille University and is a FINRA Series 6, 63, 7, 24, & 51 securities registered, New York State Life and Health licensed.
At the end of the day, Christopher is most proud of his relationship with his wife and three children. That is what means the most to him and hopes it will be his finest legacy. Christopher does his best to spend non-working hours with his family. Coaching or attending a sports game or practice, helping with school work, going to one of the numerous family friendly activities they have in Upstate NY, or an evening home, swimming in the pool, or having a movie night. They place a high value on family relationships and enjoy strengthening those bonds day in and day out.
Contact information
716-710-4756
Midecke.Chris@principal.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Shirley A. Cody, ACS - Site Coordinator

The site coordinator is the glue that keeps our offices running smoothly. Along with the entire staff, Shirley is a problem solver who makes sure your accounts are set up properly and your questions answered in a timely manner.
Contact information
904-999-3106
Cody.Shirley@principal.com
Ashley Davis - New Business Consultant

Ashley is responsible for consulting and managing new business case design and submission. She partners with financial professionals and their teams, along with our corporate product partners, to ensure cases are submitted accurately so they can be processed on time and in alignment with product area processes.
Contact information
716-710-4104
davis.ashley@principal.com
Sarah E. Weaver - Senior Business Development Consultant

Sarah partners with the management team and representatives to implement strategies to expand their marketing, branding, and business development efforts at both the representative and regional office level.
Contact information
585-445-5988
Weaver.Sarah.E@principal.com
Suzie Daggett - Candidate Experience Consultant
Suzie partners with the management team to provide comprehensive support to all new financial representative candidates through the onboarding and initial marketing launch processes. This includes scheduling of exams, ordering background checks, preparing contracting and registration paperwork.
Contact information
515-246-4983
daggett.suzie@principal.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Lisa Rinehart - Regional Talent Acquisition Consultant

Lisa has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry with a career that started managing credit union relationships on the West Coast. She joined Principal® in 2008 to focus on sourcing registered financial professional and leader talent. She finds great satisfaction in this role as she lives out the company’s values and mission bringing new talent from across the country into our culture of inclusion and diversity, where both specific and holistic practices thrive.
Contact Information
559-214-2123
rinehart.lisa@principal.com
Connect with me on Linkedin
Interested in meeting with a financial professional near you? Great! Check the list below to see who’s available in your area and learn more.
Connecticut office
6 Rock Creek Lane
Torrington, CT 06790
860-309-9888
Directions to the Torrington office
Mark D. Church church.mark@principal.com 860-309-9888 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Maine offices
20 Independence Drive, Suite 1A
Freeport, ME 04032
207-869-5723
Directions to the Freeport office
Patrick Carrigan carrigan.patrick@principal.com 207-869-5723 | David Spellman, CLTC, AIF® spellman.david@principal.com 207-854-9745 Connect with me on LinkedIn Website |
383 US Route 1, Suite 9
Scarborough, ME 04074
207-772-6580
Directions to the Scarborough office
Matthew Tassey, CLU®, ChFC®, LUTCF® tassey.matthew@principal.com 207-772-6580 |
Massachusetts offices
16 Burgoyne Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
614-286-3574
Directions to the Dorchester office
Catherine A. Farago cathy@caswealthresources.com 614-286-3574 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
43 Orchardview Street
West Springfield, MA 01089
413-209-8090
Directions to the West Springfield office
Arthur S. Cloutier, LUTCF® |
New York offices
Rochester offices
1175 Pittsford Victor Road, Suite 150
Pittsford, NY 14534
585-445-5990
Directions to this Rochester office
Duncan I. Radcliffe, ChFC®, CLU®, AIF® radcliffe.duncan@principal.com 585-445-5990 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
9 Carolina Cherry Court
Fairport, NY 14450
315-278-0174
Directions to this Rochester office
Mark Avery avery.mark@principal.com 315-278-0174 |
Almond office
5 School Street
Almond, NY 14804
607-276-6207
Directions to the Almond office
Curtis Corkey, ChFC® corkey.curtis@principal.com 607-661-2734 | Benjamin Hardy hardy.benjamin@principal.com 585-808-6971 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Buffalo offices
100 Corporate Parkway, Ste 118
Amherst, NY 14226
716-836-2422
Directions to this Buffalo office
Melissa Bertrand bertrand.melissa@principal.com 716-710-4750 | Benjamin Kopp kopp.benjamin@principal.com 716-710-4571 |
Gene Boyer boyer.gene@principal.com 716-272-2292 | Christopher Midecke midecke.chris@principal.com 716-710-4756 |
Jonathan A. Donatelli, CLU®, CFP, AIF® donatelli.jonathan@principal.com 716-710-4757 Connect with me on LinkedIn Website | Dominic F. Pellicano pellicano.dom@principal.com 716-710-4758 Connect with me on LinkedIn Website |
Ryan E. Flore flore.ryan@principal.com 716-241-8513 | Paul Podsiadlo podsiadlo.paul@principal.com 716-710-4766 |
4053 Maple Road, Ste 112
Amherst, NY 14226
Directions to this Buffalo office
Gabriel Cesar cesar.gabe@principal.com 716-710-4770 | Ronald W. Sporyz, Jr., CLU®, ChFC®, CFP sporyz.ron@principal.com 716-710-4755 |
Clay office
7900 Davis Road North, Ste 2
Clay, NY 13041
315-915-3241
Directions to the Clay office
Joseph F. Bethmann bethmann.joseph@principal.com 315-915-3241 | Jeff Francisco francisco.jeff@principal.com 315-915-3242 |
Michael R. Caron, LUTCF caron.mike@principal.com 315-915-3245 Connect with me on LinkedIn | Mario A. Rector rector.mario@principal.com 315-915-3243 |
Greg Fingar fingar.greg@principal.com 315-744-3545 |
Depew office
46 Colony St.
Depew, NY 14043
716-901-1531
Directions to the Depew office
Douglas Castren castren.douglas@principal.com 716-901-1531 |
Fairport office
2 Anglewood Court
Fairport, NY 14450
585-724-0432
Directions to the Fairport office
Jeffrey Douglass douglass.jeffrey@principal.com 585-747-0432 |
Lancaster office
18 Hill Valley Drive
Lancaster, NY 14086
716-830-1788
Directions to the Lancaster office
Rick Baginski, MBA baginski.rick@principal.com 716-830-1788 |
Latham office
637 New Loudon Road, Ste.1
Latham, NY 12110
518-724-1700
Directions to the Latham office
Mark Ferracane ferracane.mark@principal.com 518-724-1712 | Matthew J. Mazzone mazzone.matt@principal.com 518-724-1703 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Matthew Hamel hamel.matt@principal.com 518-724-1713 | Martha Nielsen, CFP® nielsen.martha@principal.com 518-724-1704 |
Peter C. Major, MBA major.peter@principal.com 518-724-1711 Connect with me on LinkedIn | Scott Powhida, CFP® powhida.scott@principal.com 518-724-1703 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Loudonville office
17 Krug Court
Loudonville, NY 12211
518-852-4699
Directions to the Loudonville office
Lawrence Dillon, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® dillon.lawrence@principal.com 518-852-4699 |
Wellsville office
20 Madison Street
Wellsville, NY 14895
845-742-2993
Directions to the Wellsville office
Miles E. Anthony anthony.miles@principal.com 845-742-2993 |
Syracuse office
3963 Griffin Road
Syracuse, NY 13215
315-469-7265
Directions to the Syracuse office
Sean O'Connor oconnor.sean@principal.com 315-469-7565 | Terrence F. O'Connor, CLU®, ChFC® o'connor.terrence@principal.com 315-469-7565 |
The financial professionals of the Principal® Financial Network of the Northeast are licensed in AL, AZ, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, NV, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SC, TX, VT, VA, WA and WI to offer insurance products, life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), securities and investment advice.
This site is not a solicitation of interest in any of these products in any other state. The member companies of the Principal Financial Group neither endorses, explicitly or impliedly, any of the third party entities.
Insurance products from the Principal Financial Group® are issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co. (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Co. Securities and advisory products offered through Principal Securities, Inc., 800-247-1737, member SIPC. Principal National, Principal Life, and Principal Securities are members of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392.
* Non-securities registered; insurance licensed financial professional
Important Consumer Information: Financial Professionals of Principal Securities who are part of the Principal® Financial Network of the Northeast may only transact business in a particular state after licensure or satisfying qualifications requirements of that state, or only if he or she is excluded or exempted from the state's registration requirements. Follow-up, individualized responses to consumers in a particular state by any of the Financial Professionals of Principal Securities that involve either the effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, as the case may be, shall not be made without first complying with the state's requirements, or pursuant to an applicable state exemption or exclusion. For information concerning the licensure status or disciplinary history of a broker-dealer, investment adviser, BD agent or IA representative or any financial institution he or she represents, contact your state securities law administrator.
The Financial Professionals of Principal Securities are licensed in a number of states to offer insurance products, and life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), and are securities and advisory registered in a number of states This site is not a solicitation of interest in any of these products in any other state.
Principal Life maintains certificates of authority to transact insurance in all 50 states. Principal Life NAIC identification number is 61271. Principal National NAIC identification number 71161