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Wyoming
Mr. Williams presently serves as Executive Director of the Wyoming Retirement System. In that capacity he oversees the administration of the State's eight defined benefit pension plans and its deferred compensation plan whose combined assets exceed $6 billion. Most recently, Mr. Williams served as President and CEO of Williams Group LLC and Williams Realty Group LLC. Mr. Williams also served as managing partner of BMW (Barry, Minor,
Williams) Realty Group LLC. Williams Group LLC is a privately held investment and consulting firm. Williams Realty Group develops commercial and residential real estate. BMW Realty Group LLC was formed to develop real estate in the context of the Denver Stapleton Redevelopment Area.
Prior to forming his current ventures, Mr. Williams served as President, CEO and majority owner of Mile High Properties LLC, and Vice President and General Manager of TIAA-CREF's operations in the western U.S.
Mile High Properties provided real estate asset and property management, investment analysis, retail and office leasing, facilities management, engineering, and finance and accounting services to corporations and institutional investors across the western United States.
Mr. Williams' professional pension and investment experience includes almost
25 years of work with TIAA-CREF, the world's largest private pension fund.
During the course of his career Mr. Williams held a variety of major positions including manager of TIAA-CREF's New England based sales and service operations. In March, 1994 Mr. Williams was promoted to Vice President in charge of the Western Division. In that capacity Mr. Williams oversaw all institutional and individual sales and service activities. In May 1998 he was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of TIAA-CREF's Denver Center Operations. In that role Mr. Williams was responsible for the management and general oversight of all aspects of the western region's multi-billion dollar sales, budgeting, service and administrative operations.
Education: A graduate of Johnson C. Smith University (BA Economics), Mr.
Williams holds the Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers University School of Law.
Community Involvement: Presently Mr. Williams serves on the boards of the Colorado Health Institute, Delta Dental Foundation and the Boettcher Foundation. For the six year period ending December '02, Mr. Williams served as board member and Chairman of the Denver Urban Renewal Authority.
Mr. Williams served on the Denver Branch of the Kansas City Federal reserve from 2001-2007 (Chairman 2004-2006).
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Idaho
BOISE, Idaho, October 1, 2008 - The Board of Directors for the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) is pleased to announce Don Drum has been named as the new executive director, replacing long-time director Alan Winkle, who is retiring after 22 years of service to PERSI. Drum stood out from among the candidates interviewed because of his experience dealing with the Idaho legislature, knowledge of the pension industry, executive level experience, familiarity with the PERSI staff, communications skills, motivational leadership style, vision for PERSI's future, and overall understanding of the job.
Winkle and Retirement Board Chairman Jody Olson both expressed support for Don. "PERSI is known for its service excellence, and I fully expect Don will successfully carry on that tradition," said Olson when making the
announcement. Winkle added, "Don has more than demonstrated he's ready to
take on the director position. I have full confidence in his ability to lead PERSI into the future."
Drum joined PERSI as the deputy director in March 2006. Because PERSI has undergone significant changes in the past few years, his immediate focus will be on easing any concerns of members, employers, retirees, and PERSI staff regarding the change in leadership. To accomplish this, he plans to increase communication both in and outside the organization. He also plans to meet with key stakeholders including representatives from the Governor's office and the Legislative leadership.
Hiring someone to fill the vacant deputy director position will be one of Drum's priorities, along with expanding his knowledge of issues pertinent to PERSI, such as divestment and the defined benefit vs. defined contribution debate that has been gaining momentum. As the new director, Drum will also become more engaged in several pension organizations such as the National Association of State Retirement Administrators and the National Conference on Teachers' Retirement.
"Alan Winkle and the staff have done an outstanding job of positioning PERSI as one of the most highly respected public pension systems in the country...leaving us on solid ground as I take over the reins," notes Drum.
While staying the course is the approach he expects to take, Drum says he will continue looking for operational efficiencies, while increasing accountability and overall professionalism at PERSI.
PERSI was created in 1963 by the Idaho legislature for the purpose of providing secure, long-term pension benefits for public employees. Today, PERSI administers a plan for more than 700 employer members and nearly 122,000 members and beneficiaries. It is a qualified tax-deferred plan under IRS Code Section 401(a). PERSI activities positively affect the taxpayers of Idaho by consolidated administration and investments. PERSI members and beneficiaries receive direct benefits through retirement, disability, and death benefit programs.
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