IPERS Leadership

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At IPERS, we are committed to the administration of a successful, sustainable and cost-effective retirement system. The leadership team and staff are proud to serve our members now and into the future.
 

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Chief Executive Officer
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Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Gregory Samorajski as the CEO of IPERS effective May 1, 2020. A native of Cleveland, Samorajski moved to Chicago and earned his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and his graduate degree at the University of Chicago. He spent the early part of his career in Chicago where, among other jobs, he worked at the First National Bank of Chicago and at the Chicago Board of Trade as a Senior Economist, Manager Financial Instruments. In 1997 he moved to Alaska where he spent more than a decade in multiple roles at McKinley Capital Management, LLC and then served as the Chief Financial Officer at True North Federal Credit Union. The Governor of Alaska appointed Samorajski as the Deputy Commissioner of the state’s Department of Revenue in 2018. In this role, he managed the State Treasury, Bond Issuance, Permanent Fund Dividend and Pension Plan Investments Divisions that employed more than 100 investment, accounting, administrative and compliance professionals. At IPERS, Samorajski oversees an agency of 90 employees and a trust fund totaling more than $40 billion.

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Benefits Division
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David Martin is the Chief Benefits Officer and leads a staff of 30 who are on the front lines serving members, retirees and beneficiaries. Employees on this team provide in-person and virtual counseling to members who are nearing retirement and answer a range of questions from members at all stages of their retirement journeys. 

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Communications Division
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Shawna Lode is IPERS’ Communications Director and leads a team that includes two Information Specialists to enact communication initiatives that support IPERS’ strategic plan. The Communications Team implements a range of communication products that enhance the work of IPERS’ Divisions, educate members about their retirement benefits and inform employers of their administrative responsibilities. The team is responsible for the management of IPERS’ media and government relations programs and coordinates www.ipers.org, various digital newsletters, print publications and mailings, and all social media channels.

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Employer Services and Operations Division
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Division leader Jim Burke and his team are a resource to approximately 2,000 public employers who report their workers’ wage and service data to IPERS each month. The Employer Services and Operations Division audits employer records and provides ongoing training so employers can understand the laws and rules that govern IPERS.

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Financial Division
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Under the leadership of Chief Financial Officer Tara Hagan, the Financial Division provides support in several areas: general and investment accounting, human resources, office support, purchasing, and financial and employer reporting. She spearheads the team that produces the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, which the Government Finance Officers Association has honored for more than two decades. 

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Investment Division
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Chief Investment Officer Sriram Lakshminarayanan, leads IPERS’ team of investment professionals, most of whom have earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. In partnership with IPERS’ investment consultants, Sri and his team advise IPERS' Investment Board on asset allocation, investment policies and strategies, and the selection of investment managers. Staff in the Investment Division conduct due diligence on investment managers, negotiate and manage detailed contracts that direct the activities of investment managers and related vendors, perform risk management and cash management, and monitor the performance of IPERS’ multibillion-dollar investment portfolio.  

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Legal Division
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IPERS’ Legal Division includes two compliance officers and General Counsel, Elizabeth Hennessey. This team works closely with each Division at IPERS, outside counsel and other state agencies to ensure that all state and federal laws, IRS regulations, administrative rules and Governor’s mandates are communicated, explained and followed.

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Operations Division
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Rick Hindman, Chief Operations Officer, oversees the Operations Division that supports service delivery functions that are critical to ensuring the security and successful management of member and employer contributions and records, and the timely and accurate payment of benefits. 

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