Indiana Funds Name Joint CIO

August 30, 2010 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – David Cooper has been named Chief Investment Officer for Indiana's two largest public pension funds.

A news release from the Indiana Public Employees’ Retirement Fund (PERF) and the Indiana State Teachers’ Retirement Fund (TRF) said Cooper, named PERF CIO in June, has now taken on similar responsibilities for the TRF. Cooper, 37, will oversee more than $22 billion in assets for the two funds.  

According to the announcement, the creation of the joint CIO slot further implements legislation mandating a common director and management team to generate cost savings. Steve Russo was tapped as Executive Director of both funds in May. 

Cooper holds an undergraduate degree from Purdue University and a Master’s of Business Administration degree from Butler University.

He replaces PERF’s CIO Shawn Wischmeier who departed in June for a similar position in North Carolina, and TRF’s CIO Tim Walsh who departed in July for a similar position in New Jersey.

PERF provides benefits to more than 220,000 public employees and retirees representing more than 1,200 employers including public universities, school corporations, municipalities and state agencies. TRF provides a similar function for about 160,000 educators.  

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