VRS is an independent state agency, governed by the provisions of Title 51.1 of the Code of Virginia and other applicable law. The Board of Trustees administers and is trustee of the Virginia Retirement System Trust.
Board of Trustees
Nine members serve on the Board of Trustees. Their appointments are shared between the executive and legislative branches of state government.
Contact Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees
Virginia Retirement SystemP.O. Box 2500
Richmond, VA 23218
A. Scott Andrews
Chair
Northern Contours & Harvest Equity Investments
Lawrence A. Bernert III
Vice Chair
Clearstead Advisory Solutions
The Hon. J. Brandon Bell II
Board Member
Bell Wealth Management, Inc
John M. Bennett
Board Member
Virginia Commonwealth University (Retired)
J. Clifford Foster IV
Board Member
Raymond James & Associates
Susan T. Gooden, Ph.D.
Board Member
Virginia Commonwealth University
Jessica L. Hood
Board Member
Wise County and City of Norton Commonwealth's Attorney's Office
The Hon. Matthew James
Board Member
MJames Consulting LLC
Lindsey K. Pantele
Board Member
Henrico County Public SchoolsExecutive Staff
The board appoints the VRS director, who serves as chief administrative officer, as well as the chief investment officer and the internal audit director.
Investment Advisory Committee
The Investment Advisory Committee (IAC) is responsible for monitoring investments and investment opportunities and making asset allocation recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
Contact Investment Advisory Committee
Investment Advisory Committee
Virginia Retirement SystemP.O. Box 2500
Richmond, VA 23218
Lawrence E. Kochard, Ph.D., Chair
Board Member, Advisor and Retired CIO Makena Capital Management
Hance West, Vice Chair
CIO and Managing Director Investure (Retired)
Theodore Economou
Chief Investment Officer Hereditas Group
Eric Baggesen
Retired CIO Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island
Managing Investment Director California Public Employees' Retirement System
Palmer Garson
Managing Director Silvercrest Asset Management Group LLC
Thomas S. Gayner
President and Chief Investment Officer Markel Corporation
Nancy G. Leake
Advisory Partner Partners Group (USA) Inc.
W. Bryan Lewis
Vice President & Chief Investment Officer United States Steel Corporation
Rod Smyth
Chief Investment Strategist Riverfront Investment Group
DC Plans Advisory Committee
The Defined Contribution Plans Advisory Committee is responsible for providing plan administration, plan design and investment recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
Contact DCP Advisory Committee
Defined Contribution Plans Advisory Committee
Virginia Retirement SystemP.O. Box 2500
Richmond, VA 23218
Susan T. Gooden, Ph.D.
Chair, Member, VRS Board of Trustees Virginia Commonwealth University
The Hon. Matthew James
Vice Chair, Member, VRS Board of TrusteesMJames Consulting LLC
Monique Barnes
Budget Director Henrico County Public Schools
Ravindra Deo
Executive Director Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
Rebecca Fentress
Senior Director - Benefits Capital One
C. Matt Harris
Deputy County Administrator for Finance and Administration Chesterfield County
Kate Jonas
Principal Kate Jonas Group LLC – Advisory Firm
Brenda O. Madden
Senior Vice President and Human Resources Director Davenport & Company
September Sanderlin
Vice President for Talent Management and CultureOld Dominion University