Retirement Industry People Moves

Defined Contribution Real Estate Council Gains Co-President

Tripp Braillard

Tripp Braillard, senior vice president and head of defined contribution distribution at Clarion Partners, will serve a two-year term as co-president of the Defined Contribution Real Estate Council, a national organization dedicated to direct real estate in defined contribution retirement plans.

Braillard and his co-president, Intercontinental Real Estate Corp.’s Brandon Millen, will lead the DCREC’s efforts to educate plan sponsors, consultants, policymakers and investment professionals on the benefits of including direct real estate as an alternative asset class within DC plans.

“Tripp’s appointment reflects both his deep expertise in the defined contribution space and his long-standing commitment to expanding access to institutional real estate for retirement investors,” Josh Pristaw, president of Clarion Partners, said in a statement. “We’re proud to see him take on this leadership role at such a critical time in the evolution of the alternative investment universe broadly and direct real estate exposure specifically.”

Braillard has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of real estate and retirement solutions. He leads distribution of Clarion’s products within the U.S. institutional defined contribution channel.

Clarion’s managing director, Michael O’Connor, served as DCREC’s co-president from 2019 through 2022.

LACERA Boards Tap Luis Lugo as CEO

Luis Lugo

The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association’s Boards of Retirement and Investments appointed Luis A. Lugo as CEO. Lugo joined LACERA in July 2021, initially served as deputy CEO and has been acting CEO since March 2025.

According to the announcement, Lugo’s appointment is intended to be a “seamless, stable transition in leadership” that will advance LACERA’s strategic priorities and its mission to “produce, protect, and provide the benefits promised to its members.”

Before coming to LACERA, Lugo served as chief operating officer for the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association, the state’s largest public pension system. He also spent more than a decade with the Social Security Administration and held various leadership positions overseeing multistate field operations.

Lugo earned a bachelor of business administration in finance from the University of Minnesota Duluth and an MBA from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Prosperity Life Group Names President of Retail Life, Annuity

Prosperity Life Group appointed Rona Guymon as president of retail life and annuity, a newly created role. She will report directly to CEO Michael Ferik and head all retail distribution, including national accounts and marketing efforts, according to the announcement.

Guymon last worked at Nationwide as a senior vice president of annuity distribution. She also spent 13 years at Protective Life in senior roles, including vice president of business development and national sales manager. Her experience spans marketing, operations, training and sales across mutual funds, annuities and life insurance.

“I am honored to join Prosperity Life Group at such an exciting time in the company’s growth journey,” said Guymon in a statement. “The combination of Prosperity Life Group’s strong product portfolio, commitment to financial professionals, and the strategic support of JAB Insurance creates a tremendous platform for growth.”