James Cordier is the founder and principal strategist of OptionSpreaders.com, based in Tampa, Florida. With more than 35 years of experience in the futures and options markets, he is widely recognized for his expertise in commodities and derivative trading.
Throughout his career, James has been featured by CNBC, Bloomberg, Fox Business, The Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, Forbes, Barron’s, and other major financial media outlets. His insights into global commodities have also been published in Futures Magazine (U.S.), Energy Risk (U.K.), Your Trading Edge (Australia), and MoneyWorks (Dubai).
He is the bestselling co-author of The Complete Guide to Option Selling, now in its third edition with McGraw-Hill, and has a forthcoming book scheduled for release in mid-2026.
James began his career in 1984 as a commodities broker in Milwaukee, WI gaining early experience with agricultural producers and end users across corn, soybeans, wheat, cattle, and coffee markets. After several years of working directly with physical producers, he learned the lasting value of understanding market fundamentals in commodities trading.
After nearly a decade in the industry, James began to notice that many investors who bought options often saw them expire worthless. Seeking better results for his clients, he turned to institutional trading strategies and adopting the concept of selling options. By the late 1990s, he was implementing these methods with clients across multiple markets.
During this period, James became a go-to source for national financial media seeking informed insight into commodities such as gold, oil, and coffee.
In recent years, he has continued to refine his trading model, an evolution that led to the creation of OptionSpreaders.com, which he describes as The Ultimate Evolution of Option Selling.
Despite a full media schedule, James remains actively involved in the day-to-day management of client portfolios. He works directly with most client equity and continues to emphasize clear communication and personal attention.
Outside the markets, James resides in Tampa, Florida, where he is active in community causes and enjoys boating and fitness.
