CalPERS Taps Feckner as Board Chief

February 16, 2005 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) Board of Administration has two new leaders.

The giant $182 billion pension fund, the nation’s largest public fund, on Wednesday tapped Rob Feckner as its president and Robert Carlson as vice president, CalPERS announced in a news release .

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Feckner, a glazing specialist for the Napa Valley Unified School District, was first elected to the CalPERS Board in 1998 and re-elected in 2002 by the system’s classified school members. He has been board vice president and chairman of the board investment committee for the past two years.

Meanwhile, Carlson is the senior member of the CalPERS Board, serving since 1971. He was board president from 1976 to 1985 and vice president from 2000 to 2002. Carlson is elected by and from CalPERS retired members. Prior to his retirement in 1985, Carlson was chief counsel for the California Department of Transportation.

According to news reports, Feckner, chosen in a 12 to 0 vote, also vowed to fight against lavish executive salaries and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal to privatize state public pension systems. Feckner replaces ousted labor leader Sean Harrigan, who had led the retirement system since 2003.

CalPERS administers retirement and health benefits for 1.4 million current and retired California public employees and their families.

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