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Missouri Department of Transportation & Missouri State Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System

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MPERS Staff

The day-to-day management of MPERS is delegated to the executive director who is hired by the Board. The executive director acts as an advisor to the Board on all matters pertaining to the system and, with the approval of the Board, contracts for professional services and employs the remining staff needed to operate the system. 

We are a staff of 17 employees, working in the five divisions and the two units described below. Please click on the picture of the person below to learn about them and their role at MPERS.

Director’s Office

The Director’s Office staff provides administrative oversight and support in the areas of legislation, operations, benefits, and investments. 

Scott Simon
Executive Director

Greg Beck
Assistant Executive Director

Lois Wankum
Senior Executive Assistant  

Barbara Graessle
Senior Administrative Assistant

Financial Services

The Financial Services section is responsible for maintaining all the financial records of MPERS. The chief financial officer (accountant) interacts with the investment custodian, the auditors, the depository bank, Missouri’s Department of Revenue, and the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, the accountant assists the chief investment officer in tracking and predicting target cash balances, participates in annual budget development, prepares monthly budget-to-actual reports, and calculates monthly premium payments to the long-term disability insurer. The accountant also processes MPERS’ semi-monthly office payrolls, reconciles monthly benefit payments and contributions/payrolls posted, and reconciles investment activity. 

Jennifer Even
Chief Financial Officer

Mary Sue Fontana
Senior Accountant

Investments

The Investments section staff works closely with the general investment consultant to oversee the investment portfolio and provide consulting services to the Board and the executive director. This includes, but is not limited to: (a) formulating investment policy and asset recommendations, (b) providing recommendations on the selection, (c) monitoring and evaluating external investment advisors, (d) measuring and reporting on investment performance, (e) conducting market research on political, financial, and economic developments that may affect the System, and (f) serving as a liaison to the investment community. 

Larry Krummen
Chief Investment Officer

Jennifer Johnson
Manager of Hedge Funds and Private Equity

Tinisha Eickhoff
Manager of Investment Operations  

Bobby Hagedorn
Manager of Real Assets and Credit

Legal Services

The Legal Services section advises the executive director and Board on legal matters, reviews and approves investment and other contracts for MPERS, advises staff on the application of state and federal statutes affecting the administration of plan benefits, responds to requests from members and their attorneys related to plan benefits, engages in or oversees litigation affecting MPERS, and assists in developing policies, rules, and legislation impacting MPERS’ operations and the administration of plan benefits. 

Greta Bassett-Seymour
General Counsel

Member Services

The Member Services section consists of two units devoted to serving member needs. 

The Benefits Unit is responsible for contact with the membership regarding the benefit programs administered by MPERS, which include retirement and disability. The benefit staff is responsible for preparing and delivering the pre-retirement and benefit basics seminars in addition to assisting with the development of member communication material. 

Mary Jordan
Senior Benefit Specialist

Gabrielle Lewis
Benefit Specialist

Julie West
Communications Specialist

Bev Wilson
Benefit Audit Specialist

The Payroll Unit is responsible for establishing and maintaining all membership records including (a) maintaining member data on the pension administration system, (b) verifying retirement calculations, (c) balancing payroll deductions, (d) verifying SAM II data against exception reports, and (e) entering payroll, service, and leave data into the System’s computerized database. 

Angel Backes
Senior Account Technician

Tammy Kroll
Senior Account Technician

Leigh Love
Senior Account Technician

Mailing Address:
 PO Box 1930
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1930
Office Location:
 1913 William St.
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone Number: (573) 298-6080
Toll Free: (800) 270-1271
Fax: (573) 522-6111
Email: mpers@mpers.org

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Copyright 2019
MoDOT & Patrol Employees' Retirement System

Julie West, Communications Specialist

Julie West is the Communications Specialist for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS). She reports directly to the Assistant Executive Director and is responsible for the development and implementation of digital media including, but not limited to, MPERS’ website, social media platforms, publications, and multimedia educational content. Additionally, she serves as a backup Benefit Specialist as needed.

Julie has nine years of experience with State of Missouri employee benefits, which began with the Missouri Department of Corrections. In 2018, she came to MPERS from Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan (MCHCP) where she was a Member Education Specialist for the western region of the state. During her time at MCHCP, she earned her Missouri Life and Health Insurance Producers License.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication arts from Hannibal-LaGrange University and a Masters of Arts in speech communication from the University of Central Missouri.

Mary Jordan, Senior Benefit Specialist

Mary Jordan is a Senior Benefit Specialist for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS). Mary reports directly to the Assistant Executive Director. The primary duties of a benefit specialist are to provide members of MPERS with the information necessary to make informed decisions regarding their retirement benefits. This includes talking with prospective or new employees about the retirement and disability benefit provided by MPERS. Mary also helps educate employees regarding the value of all of the benefits they receive as state employees. As a benefit specialist, she helps develop and conduct seminars for members nearing retirement, new employees as well as mid-career informational seminars and assists in the production of webinars on  various retirement-related topics.

Mary has worked for MPERS in several capacities since joining the system in October 1997. She began her career in retirement as a senior secretary and shortly after she transitioned to the payroll section of MPERS. This gave her extensive knowledge in how prior service credit is granted, how retirement benefits are calculated, how payroll information is received from the employers and how that information translates into the monthly benefits that members receive after retirement. She has worked with software providers to implement the legislative changes for the Year 2000 Plan and the 2011 Tier. In between the plan changes, MPERS began the multiyear, multiphase process of implementing a new pension administration system. She was a member of the selection committee that ultimately selected PensionGold. The new pension system was able to combine the data from the previous mainframe system as well as several Microsoft Access databases into one functional system. This provided one depository for all pension-related data and a simplified method of retrieving data. Maintenance of this system is an ongoing project with changes in pension laws and periodic maintenance.

Benefit specialists are many times the first faces and voices of MPERS with the members. All of the knowledge Mary has obtained through her long tenure with MPERS allows her to successfully interact with members.

Mary holds a Certificate of Achievement in Public Plan Policy Employee Pension issued by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. She is also nearing completion of her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration at William Woods University.

Greta Bassett-Seymour, General Counsel

Greta Bassett-Seymour is the General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS). She joined MPERS in 2014 after 12 years in the private practice of law. Greta serves as the legal counsel to the MPERS Board of Trustees and to the Executive Director and provides advice, counsel and representation in all matters affecting the system.

Greta’s primary responsibilities include interpreting system laws and applicable federal laws affecting plan administration; advising the executive director and the board regarding public records law, governance and parliamentary procedures, and fiduciary duties; providing legal due diligence and support for the system’s investment function, including review of transaction documentation and investment structures; reviewing and drafting legislation affecting the system, as well as preparing and reviewing fiscal notes; testifying before legislative committees; supporting the system’s member services function; supporting the executive director and the board in policy and executive matters as requested, including strategic and business planning and risk management planning and execution; and serving as hearing officer for administrative hearings before the board including case preparation and discovery.

Prior to coming to MPERS, Greta owned her own law practice where she practiced social security disability law. Greta employed and managed five attorneys and 25 support and professional staff, maintained an active caseload of 120 clients and handled all facets of human resources duties as well as day-to-day business decisions. Before attending law school, Greta was an eighth grade English teacher.

Greta graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Columbia, School of Law, completed a Bachelor of Arts in German at DePauw University and, earned a teaching certificate in secondary education (in German and English) from Northern Illinois University. She is a member of the Missouri Bar, In Good Standing and a member of the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys.

Bobby Hagedorn, Manager of Real Assets and Credit

Bobby Hagedorn is the Manager of Real Assets and Credit for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS). Bobby reports to the Chief Investment Officer and serves as one of the four professionals on the MPERS investment team. He is responsible for overseeing the real assets and credit portion of the investment portfolio. Bobby leads the sourcing of new relationships and opportunities across his respective asset classes and has successfully developed each program, simultaneously enhancing diversification across managers and strategies. Bobby regularly evaluates new investment opportunities across numerous industries and investment types in addition to monitoring and managing over 25 existing investment manager relationships.

Prior to joining MPERS in 2013, Bobby spent three years as an Equity Research Analyst for Edward Jones in St. Louis. At Edward Jones, Bobby worked on a team responsible for making investment recommendations on over 60 North American consumer companies.

Bobby received a Bachelor of Science in business administration with an emphasis in finance and a minor in economics from the University of Missouri. Bobby holds both the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.

Tinisha Eickhoff, Manager of Investment Operations

Tinisha Eickhoff is the Manager of Investment Operations for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS). She reports directly to the MPERS Chief Investment Officer. Tinisha manages all investment operations and investment accounting for the plan’s investment portfolio. She is responsible for coordinating and monitoring activities with the external custodial and consulting firms, as well as auditors, as it pertains to the investment portfolio. Risk management continues to be an area of focus for the system and since joining MPERS in 2012, Tinisha has worked diligently to enhance both the operations and risk management of the ever-growing investment program. She spends significant time implementing appropriate measures to identify, define, measure and communicate risks in the portfolio. In addition to the operations function, Tinisha is responsible for ongoing due diligence for MPERS’ traditional equity managers and supports other investment staff for all asset classes.

Tinisha began her career at the Public School Retirement System (PSRS) as an assistant to investment staff. During her time at PSRS, Tinisha was promoted to Investment Operation Officer where she gained much of the knowledge she uses today when managing MPERS’ investment operations. Tinisha has almost a decade and a half of experience in investment operations.

Tinisha earned both a Master of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in business administration (magna cum laude) from Columbia College while working full-time. She holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.

Jennifer Johnson, Manager of Hedge Funds and Private Equity

Jennifer Johnson is the Manager of Hedge Funds and Private Equity for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS). Jennifer reports directly to the Chief Investment Officer. She is responsible for the sourcing of new relationships and opportunities across her respective areas of coverage and has successfully developed each program, simultaneously enhancing diversification across managers and strategies. She regularly evaluates new investment opportunities across numerous industries and investment types, in addition to monitoring and managing current relationships. Since joining MPERS in 2007, Jennifer has worked diligently to provide top-tier investment returns for the system’s investment portfolio.

Before coming to MPERS, Jennifer traded fixed income securities for Central Bank where she was responsible for maintaining an inventory of fixed income products for retail brokers. She educated and trained brokers on fixed income products. She increased retail fixed-income revenue and trading profits year over year.

Jennifer acquired several years of customer service, marketing, and project management experience while working at General American Life Insurance Company. She was responsible for marketing a newly developed variable life insurance product for high net worth individuals to general agents and managing the product’s administration department. She also managed implementation and led training for new client products.

She is the Ex-Officio President of MAPERS (Missouri Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems). MAPERS is dedicated to the education of Missouri pension plan staff and trustees. She has been a board member since 2009 and has served two-year terms as Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President and President.

Jennifer obtained her Master of Finance degree from St. Louis University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science with a minor in business from Valparaiso University. She holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation. The CAIA designation certifies an education standard of expertise in the area of alternatives. In addition, Jennifer has earned the National Association of Securities Dealers Series 6, Series 7 and Series 63 licenses, currently inactive; the Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI); and Associate, Insurance Regulatory Compliance (AIRC) designations.

Larry Krummen, Chief Investment Officer

Larry Krummen is the Chief Investment Officer for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS), where he is responsible for the management and oversight of the system’s $2.3 billion investment portfolio. Since joining MPERS in 2003, he has restructured the portfolio into a diversified and sophisticated investment program with investments across global equities, fixed income, hedge funds, private equity, and real assets. During his tenure, he has transformed MPERS’ investment portfolio from a historically underperforming fund to one that consistently ranks among the top performing funds in the peer universe. Through the efficient use of alternative investment strategies, Larry has also reduced MPERS’ overall risk profile. The combination of improved returns and reduced risk has helped MPERS’ portfolio generate a risk-adjusted return (Sharpe Ratio) that ranks among the top 6% of the peer universe over the ten year period ending in 2018. In 2016, Larry’s efforts to improve the system’s performance were recognized by CIO Magazine, awarding MPERS the “CIO Industry Innovation Award” for public funds under $15 billion in assets.

In addition to his accomplishments at MPERS, Larry has a unique set of educational accomplishments and prior work experience. Prior to joining MPERS, he was the Director of Investments for the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office, managing a $3.0 billion fixed income portfolio. His passion to improve performance was evident with the Treasurer’s Office as well, where he was instrumental in passing legislation to enhance the portfolio’s securities lending program. Prior to his work for the State of Missouri, he worked as an Investment Officer at Central Bank, a budget analyst at the Missouri Senate, and lobbied for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce.

Larry earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration with a dual major in finance and real estate from the University of Missouri, graduating magna cum laude with a cumulative GPA of 3.87. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder designation.

Mary Sue Fontana, Assistance Chief Financial Officer

Mary Sue Fontana is the Assistant Chief Financial Officer for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS). She is responsible for working with and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She performs the functions of a senior accountant in carrying out the financial operations of MPERS, including financial accounting and reporting, investment accounting, audit support, procedure development, tax reporting, and various other accounting and financial functions. Together with the CFO, Mary Sue is responsible for implementing new Governmental Accounting Standards Board pronouncements, identifying and implementing process efficiencies, and producing the system’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the Popular Annual Financial Report.

Prior to joining MPERS, Mary Sue worked for many years at the Missouri Department of Transportation. In addition to working in all levels of accounting, she gained experience in budgeting, legislative impact analysis, human resource and budget policy development, and financial statement auditing, while progressing through increasingly responsible positions up to manager. Her governmental accounting experience includes responsibility for preparing financial statements and supporting the annual audits of MoDOT’s self-insurance fund, medical and life insurance plan, and the department-wide CAFR, in addition to MPERS’ financial statements. Prior to MPERS’ hiring its first CFO, Mary Sue played a key role in MPERS attaining its first Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Fiscal Year 2005 CAFR.

Mary Sue graduated summa cum laude from Lincoln University, earning a Bachelor of Science in accounting. She holds a Certified Public Accountant certificate.

Jennifer Even, Chief Financial Officer

Jennifer Even is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS). Jennifer is responsible for the financial operations of MPERS, including financial accounting and reporting, budget development and oversight, investment accounting and reporting, audit management, internal control policies development and implementation, tax reporting and filing, payroll administration, and various other accounting and financial functions. Jennifer joined MPERS in 2006 as MPERS’ first accountant.

During her tenure, Jennifer has implemented a new accounting system. She also actively participated in the development of a new pension administration system, specifically with the integration of data to the financial system, tax reporting for members, and required state and federal tax filings. Jennifer is responsible for producing the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) each fiscal year. This publication has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting every year since Jennifer has been at MPERS. Jennifer was also instrumental in producing MPERS’ first Popular Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2017 and it also has received the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting. Jennifer also heads the IT Security Committee.

Jennifer has 27 years of financial and accounting experience with more than 25 years in state government. She previously worked as an Accounting Manager at the Missouri Department of Revenue, at MoDOT as the Retirement System Accountant, and as an Accountant at McDonnell Douglas Corp.

Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on finance and banking, from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has professional designations as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Government Financial Manager.

Scott Simon, Executive Director

Scott Simon is the Executive Director for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS), where he provides sound and effective leadership, coordinates all MPERS operational and administrative functions, and administers the programs for which MPERS is responsible. He reports directly to the MPERS Board of Trustees. His key responsibilities include guiding the governing board regarding policy and strategic objectives; ensuring effective implementation of board governance, including the investment policy; representing the organization on behalf of all stakeholders; managing and overseeing MPERS’ staff and their various responsibilities; and reviewing and reporting administrative performance to the governing board. Since joining MPERS in 2012, Scott has worked diligently to continue the transformation of MPERS into a sophisticated pension plan, pursuing practical excellence through customer service and risk management, what he views as the system’s two most fundamental responsibilities.

Twenty-two years ago, Scott began his pension plan career as a Benefit Specialist for MOSERS, the state’s largest public pension plan, delivering quality service and helpful benefit information to plan members. He progressed through the ranks first as a Benefit Supervisor and then as the Manager of Benefit Services. During that time, he took advantage of educational opportunities to broaden his knowledge base of pension plan administration and management. That education covered a broad range of topics including leadership and strategy development, benefit administration, human resource development and workforce management, reporting and benchmarking, and defined contribution plan management. Prior to his pension plan work, Scott completed an executive development program for a major U.S. retailer where he became one of the youngest store managers in the history of the company. He has over 28 years of experience in customer service and risk management.

Scott graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and received a Bachelor of Science in business logistics with a minor area of specialization in business management.

Barbara Graessle, Senior Administrative Assistant

Barbara Graessle is the Senior Administrative Assistant for the Executive Director’ office at the MoDOT and Patrol Employees’ Retirement System. Barbara acts as the office receptionist, greeting individuals both in person and over the phone. She handles incoming correspondence and ensures those items are distributed in a manner that supports timely resolution. Barbara’s general responsibilities include assisting accounts payable, ethics and fiscal notes reporting, posting board material, tracking member communications and supporting website management activities.

Barbara began her career in a hospital setting working in human resources, payroll and finance. She was also responsible for preparing board materials and attending meetings. Barbara then joined Scholastic where she had over 24 years as the Executive Assistant to the General Manager of Operations. Barbara has completed coursework in the area of administrative assistance at Missouri State University.

Lois Wankum, Senior Executive Assistant

Lois Wankum is the Senior Executive Assistant for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS) and reports directly to the Executive Director. She provides a variety of secretarial and administrative duties for the Executive Director’s office. She works with executive staff on special projects and reports and supervises the duties of the Senior Administrative Assistant. Lois also assists in greeting members and visitors to MPERS. Lois joined MPERS in 1998.

As the secretary to the MPERS Board of Trustees, Lois schedules and issues notices for all board and committee meetings, prepares agendas, assists with preparing meeting material for the trustees, prepares meeting minutes, maintains the board planning calendar, and retains records of the board. She also coordinates the board elections.

Lois serves as the de facto office manager, overseeing routine maintenance of the building and grounds, soliciting bids for various building and professional services, including insurance coverage. She assists with the preparation of the budget and monitors the budget throughout the year. She prepares payroll deductions and supporting forms for MPERS’ employees and assists in processing staff payroll.

Lois assists with MPERS’ human resources needs by scheduling interviews for potential new employees and ensures background checks are completed. She participates with orientating new employees and ensures existing staff is aware of any employee benefit changes.

Lois’s 33-year career in state government began in 1986, as a Clerk Typist in Office of Administration (OA), Division of Purchasing. Immediately prior to joining MPERS, Lois was employed at MoDOT and was promoted to numerous positions within the agency. She held positions in the Fiscal Services Division, the Risk Management Office and the Chief Counsel’s Office.

Greg Beck, Assistant Executive Director

Greg Beck is the Assistant Executive Director for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS). Greg is responsible for assisting the Executive Director in administering the system. He also oversees the operations staff. Greg joined MPERS in 2016.

Before coming to MPERS, Greg was the Chief Auditor at the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) for 15 years. Work performed in that position provided insight into all aspects of a public pension system from investments to information technology to member benefits. Greg provides MPERS with significant experience in internal controls and risk management to ensure MPERS continues to provide retirement security and excellent customer service to our active and retired members.

Prior to joining MOSERS, Greg was the Manager of Financial Management and Policy for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Prior to that, he spent three years in the state capitol as a program evaluator for the Missouri General Assembly. Greg’s 30-year career in state government began in 1988, as an Audit Assistant for the Missouri State Auditor.

Greg received his Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Central Missouri. He has obtained the following certifications: Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Investments and Derivatives Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, and Certified Government Financial Manager. Greg is a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and the Institute of Internal Auditors

Scott Simon, Executive Director

Scott Simon is the Executive Director for the Missouri Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol Employees’ Retirement System (MPERS), where he provides sound and effective leadership, coordinates all MPERS operational and administrative functions, and administers the programs for which MPERS is responsible. He reports directly to the MPERS Board of Trustees. His key responsibilities include guiding the governing board regarding policy and strategic objectives; ensuring effective implementation of board governance, including the investment policy; representing the organization on behalf of all stakeholders; managing and overseeing MPERS’ staff and their various responsibilities; and reviewing and reporting administrative performance to the governing board. Since joining MPERS in 2012, Scott has worked diligently to continue the transformation of MPERS into a sophisticated pension plan, pursuing practical excellence through customer service and risk management, what he views as the system’s two most fundamental responsibilities.

Twenty-two years ago, Scott began his pension plan career as a Benefit Specialist for MOSERS, the state’s largest public pension plan, delivering quality service and helpful benefit information to plan members. He progressed through the ranks first as a Benefit Supervisor and then as the Manager of Benefit Services. During that time, he took advantage of educational opportunities to broaden his knowledge base of pension plan administration and management. That education covered a broad range of topics including leadership and strategy development, benefit administration, human resource development and workforce management, reporting and benchmarking, and defined contribution plan management. Prior to his pension plan work, Scott completed an executive development program for a major U.S. retailer where he became one of the youngest store managers in the history of the company. He has over 28 years of experience in customer service and risk management.

Scott graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and received a Bachelor of Science in business logistics with a minor area of specialization in business management.