Retirement Industry People Moves

ADISA Names John Grady as Executive Director

John Grady

The Alternative and Direct Investment Securities Association named John Grady as executive director, succeeding the retiring John Harrison. Grady recently resigned as ADISA’s board president—a position he has held since 2017—to assume his new role.

“I have full confidence in John Grady, who has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the association’s growth and advocacy for many years,” said Harrison in a statement.

Grady has sat on the firm’s legislative and regulatory committee for more than a decade. He has authored articles on behalf of ADISA, campaigned with congressional staff and provided public policy insight.

Grady brings more than three decades of experience in the investment management industry. He currently serves as general counsel at ABR Dynamic Funds. Before joining ABR, Grady was a partner at both Practus LLP and DLA Piper LLP and held positions within firms focused on managed futures, real estate and other alternative investments.

Nixon Peabody Adds Mark Stember as Partner

Mark Stember

Nixon Peabody LLP added Mark Stember as a partner, expanding the firm’s employee benefits and executive compensation team. Stember is based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

Stember brings experience counseling public and private clients on health and welfare benefits governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, fringe benefit plans, privacy requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, executive compensation and qualified retirement plans. He has recently advised clients on the use of artificial intelligence in third-party administrator services, value-based care arrangements, telemedicine and direct-provider administrator services. Stember also works with clients on short- and long-term disability and applicable funding arrangements.

“Mark will be an excellent fit for both our office and our firmwide culture as a whole,” said Sumeet Sharma, managing partner of the Washington office, in a statement. “His strong relationships and extensive experience … will be an immediate benefit to our clients as we continue to add targeted depth and breadth of services in Washington, DC.”

Stember previously chaired multiple employee benefits committees for the American Bar Association. He currently serves as a fellow in the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel.

Arthur Toth Returns to Nationwide Retirement Solutions

Arthur Toth

Nationwide Retirement Solutions announced that Arthur Toth has rejoined the company as technical director. Toth will focus on sales of fixed-annuity products as an investment solution, aiming to drive adoption in state-initiated savings plans. He reports to Hutch Schafer, vice president of business development.

“Arthur’s deep experience across a wide range of financial services roles will greatly benefit our team and the partners and plan sponsors that we serve,” Schafer said in a statement. “His dedicated support will be instrumental in accelerating our growth for an important part of our business.”

Toth returned to Nationwide from WTW. Before joining WTW as a project leader in February 2023, Toth served an eight-year tenure at Nationwide. His roles included business development for pension risk transfer, investment analysis in the office of investments and actuarial support for the specialty insurance business.

Cohen & Steers Names Seth Laughlin as Head of Real Estate Strategy, Research

Seth Laughlin

Cohen & Steers Inc. has appointed Seth Laughlin as senior vice president and head of real estate strategy and research. Laughlin will lead the team responsible for identifying and analyzing long-term and secular real estate development ideas and head an integrated listed and private real estate strategy function. He reports to Jon Cheigh, president and chief investment officer.

“Seth brings significant expertise and a deep understanding of real estate investing, which will be highly value-added to our investment teams and clients,” Cheigh said in a statement. “Under his leadership, the Real Estate Strategy group will continue to analyze the intersection of the listed and private real estate markets to uncover value and alpha-generating opportunities.”

Laughlin joins the firm with more than 20 years of real estate experience. He most recently served as managing director and head of U.S. market research at Green Street. Previously, he served in equity leadership and analyst roles at Green Street, ISI Group and Merrill Lynch.

Maryland State Pension Fund Names Robert Burd as Acting CIO

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System’s board named Robert Burd as acting chief investment officer at the fund’s June 17 meeting. Burd, currently deputy CIO of the $70 billion pension fund, will take up the role on July 1.

Andrew Palmer, the state system’s CIO since 2015, will retire at the end of the month. Burd has held the role of deputy CIO since 2011 and previously served in the acting CIO role during the CIO transition from Melissa Moye to Palmer.

“The board’s decision to appoint Robert Burd as Acting CIO ensures the system continues to benefit from a steady hand and deep institutional knowledge,” said Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman in a statement. “His leadership during this time of transition will be invaluable as we chart the next chapter for the system’s investment strategy.”