Michael Pennica

Founder and President

After a career serving our United States Air Force (USAF), Michael joined the financial services industry in 1993 and opened his first office in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1996. A year later, Carol (spouse) joined the firm from USAA and has continued to serve as Chief Operating Officer. As an independent financial services firm, PFG is able to teach “Main Street” financial concepts that often times elude today’s middle class families. The firm works with military/retirees/DOD Contractors and small business owners to help them gain a better concept of wealth creation thru planning, risk management, and exit strategies. PFG has expanded its operation in Colorado by hiring good people that care about others and their financial future. Additionally, PFG has been recognized as a leader in hiring veterans and helping them make a career transition. As noted by such organizations as the Southern Colorado SBDC in awarding PFG the Veteran-Owned Business of the Year in 2014 and the U.S. Department of Defense for support of the Guard and Reserve (2013-2015).

Michael’s service to the USAF permitted him to work in many operational facets, such as our military intelligence, foreign weapon systems analysis and capabilities, space systems/communications and systems integration, operations and maintenance of the USAF F-4, F-16, and C-130 aircraft. Analysis and execution have been at the core of his skill set for several decades. During his service Michael had the opportunity to directly support and participate in combat operations for Operation Urgent Fury (Grenada), Operation Just Cause (Panama), Operation Provide Promise (Bosnia) and Desert Storm (Iraq).

Michael has earned multiple degrees in military studies, intelligence and imagery analysis, logistics/business administration with an emphasis in business management. Moreover, he holds multiple licensing as a registered financial representative, investment advisor representative and insurance advisor. He is a published author within the military intelligence community and believes that learning should be a lifelong experience. Additionally, he has given advice and counsel to several prominent for-profit and non-profit organizations regarding financial planning, investment strategies, and has been featured on several radio and television shows to include Fox 21 “Financial Tips”.

Michael’s board of director knowledge and experience includes: Make-A-Wish Foundation (Colorado), Colorado Springs Chamber, Colorado Springs Chamber Business Board, Satellite Homeowner’s Association, Military Affairs Committee (MAC), Goodwill Industries, Colorado Springs Conservatory, Southern Colorado Better Business Bureau Foundation, the El Paso County Retirement Board and National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).

Michael and Carol enjoy being involved in their community, donating time and resources to our magnificent Colorado Springs community and non-profits, travel, and dreaming together! Living by the credo “when much is given, much is expected”, Michael hopes to make a difference in the quality of life for fellow Clients and Coloradoans. Service to mankind is one of the noblest causes that one can devote their life’s work.

Carol Pennica

Chief Operating Officer / Partner

Carol comes from a banking family and started her career with various banks and credit unions and later entered the insurance business with USAA. She graduated from Pikes Peak Community College with degrees in Business and Financial Services. In 1996, she joined her husband Michael and applied her banking and customer services skills to help build Pennica Financial Group while instituting a customer service program and financial representative compliance procedures.

Her love of animals and kind attitude of giving back to our community has been represented in various ways; such as, serving as a board director and officer for the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region; Ambassador for the Colorado Springs Chamber and Advisory Board member; board member for Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center; volunteer for Make-A-Wish Colorado; and Santa Coordinator for Memorial Hospital – providing cheer to kids that are hospitalized during the holiday season.

Her service to our great community has not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized and awarded the coveted Colorado Springs Chamber Ambassador of the Year; a Colorado Springs Business Journal “Women of Influence” winner; and an ATHENA award finalist.

Julie Bishop

Financial Advisor

Julie Bishop is a graduate of the University of Southern California. After college, Julie began a successful career in the retirement planning industry, managing the compliance department for Benefit Planning, Inc., a pension-consulting firm in Southern California. She worked extensively with individually designed retirement plans.

In 1998, she married the love of her life and moved to Montana to join the D.A. Davidson Companies, a large stockbrokerage firm. She became a Trust Officer, Investment Advisor and continued to work as a Retirement Plan Administrator. She was responsible for a book of business with 200 employers, overseeing plan administration, employee education, and investment strategies. Her duties also included administering the D.A. Davidson 401(k) and ESOP plans for 800 employees, 33 branches in seven states.

In 2004, Julie left the corporate world to focus on her family. Working part time with a global beauty firm, Julie became a successful Independent Sales Representative and recruiter. During 2012 & 2013 Julie was ranked number 2 in team sales for her Division, which included Colorado, Wyoming, Eastern Utah and part of Nebraska. Her team had sales of $1.2 million with 400 representatives that gained national recognition. With her kids now older, Julie has returned to the financial services industry and joined Pennica Financial Group.

Julie and her husband, Roger, live in Colorado Springs and have 3 beautiful children. Julie is a Girl Scout leader and volunteers at her children’s schools. Her kids are involved in sports, band, and scouting. As a family, the Bishop’s enjoy skiing each season and love to hike. Julie has a passion for people and enjoys working in the financial services industry. “My goal is to help people make sound financial decisions and find effective retirement solutions.”

Richard Cimino

Financial Advisor

Richard grew up in Raton NM, and attended the Air Force Academy in 1990. Richard retired from the Air Force after 21 years as an Intelligence Officer. He earned his MBA in 2000 after attending night school at the University of California and New Mexico State University. He also has a Masters in Strategic Intelligence and taught at the National Intelligence University in Washington DC for three years. Richard has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and served in Air Force Space Command, Air Combat Command, the NRO, and in the Pentagon. He joined the Financial Services industry after his military career to help people achieve their full potential and more significantly contribute to their communities.

Richard is a member of the Lion’s Club, and a board member of the Rotary Club, and teaches religious education at his church. He likes to ski, hike, and fish. But he probably spends most of his free time attending sporting events for his three children, or walking his two dogs.

Richard is determined to provide perspective and understanding for his clients. Just like an Intelligence Analysts needs to not only fully understand the environment and situation, he also has to effectively communicate what is going on to his commanding officers and decision makers. Richard brings the same approach to his financial clients. He surveys the environment for appropriate investments, insurance products, and financial strategies; and then he effectively informs his clients of opportunities and risks. He takes time to answer all questions and fully explain the pros and cons of options. Richard joined the financial industry to be a long-term partner with his clients, and provides regular reviews and updates with them. He will work year after year helping people make informed choices to achieve their goals in life.

Mark Czelusta

Financial Advisor

Mark grew up in Palm Beach County, Florida, but fell in love with Colorado as a cadet at the USAF Academy. After graduating in 1989, Mark served in our nation’s Air Force for nearly 27 years, and through 15 worldwide locations as a C-130 pilot, retiring as a full colonel in 2016. Especially noteworthy were assignments as the Director of Logistics Operations for Europe in Stuttgart, Germany; as the College President for the Air Force’s largest officer education program; and as the Senior Commander for the 314th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base. He completed dozens of combat and humanitarian deployments, to include Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the Former Yugoslavia, and Africa. He is decorated with 2 Bronze Stars for his combat leadership.

Mark holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Russian Studies from the USAF Academy, a Master’s of Public Management in National Security Policy and Economics from the University of Maryland, and a Master’s of Military Arts and Sciences from the US Army Command and General Staff College. Furthermore, he completed certificate-level programs at the Darden School of Business, the Center for Creative Leadership, and the George C. Marshall Center for European Security Studies.

A proud husband and father, skier, and triathlete, you’ll find him with his wife and daughter on the slopes, on a bike, or even just hiking many local trails. He is active throughout the community and is energized by the area’s optimism and bright future.

Passionate about Financial Planning, Mark applies a client-first approach to achieving your goals. As your advisor, Mark will apply the same listening, communication, awareness and planning skills that made him a successful USAF leader and distinguished combat pilot. Success will be defined on your terms, through a long relationship, and in anticipation of known—and unknown—life events. Mark does not count on luck, but instead, on preparation, opportunity, and optimism.

Sally Jo Van Winkle

Administrative Assistant

Sally Jo is a U.S. Air Force veteran who truly enjoyed her time in the service. While in the Air Force she was an Aircraft Maintenance Scheduler that monitored and maintained aircraft, assigning them fly time and scheduling the maintenance on the aircraft.

She left the service to raise her sons. Over the years she was a volunteer in her sons’ schools as a homeroom mother and helped with classroom parties and field trips.

Sally Jo worked in retail for 7 years as a cashier and as a sales floor assistant. She was responsible for setup of product displays, searched for merchandise for customers and helped maintain product on the sales floor.

In December 2013, Sally Jo joined Pennica Financial Group as an Administrative Assistant. She enjoys interacting with a diversified group of people always trying to bring some cheer into their day. Her attitude and administrative skills are a great addition to the office.