National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems

The Voice for Public Pensions

FALL Education

  

PRELIMINARY AGENDA
As of 9/20/23

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22
 
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm      REGISTRATION
 
4:00 pm – 4:45 pm      OPENING GENERAL SESSION
                                    Current Look at Public Pension Plans, Inflation, and Social Security
                                    Dan Siblik, Segal
                                    Paul Angelo, Segal     
 
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm      WELCOME RECEPTION & EXHIBITION
 
 MONDAY, OCTOBER 23
 
7:00 am – 1:00 pm      REGISTRATION
 
7:00 am – 8:00 am      BREAKFAST
 
9:00 am – 1:00 pm      EXHIBITION
 
8:00 am – 1:15 pm      GENERAL SESSION
 
8:00 am – 8:15 am      Opening Remarks
                                    Hank Kim, NCPERS
 
8:15 am – 9:00 am      Economic Update
                                    Leo Harmon Jr., Mesirow
                                               
9:00 am – 9:45 am      Enhancing Pension Sustainability: A Funding Policy Discussion
                                    Aaron Shapiro, Milliman
                                    Elizabeth Wiley, Cheiron
                                    Dan Doonan, National Institute on Retirement Security
                                   
9:45 am – 10:30 am    Securing Our Markets: The Essential Role of Public Funds
                                     Mary Beth Foley, Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (Moderator)
                                     Daniel Chiplock, Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
                                     Laura Posner, Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC
                                     Adam Franklin, Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado
 
10:30 am – 11:00 am  EXHIBIT BREAK
 
11:00 am – 11:45 am  Bonds are Back!
                                    Julian Regan, Segal Marco Advisors
                                    Rosemary Guillette, Segal Marco Advisors
 
11:45 am – 12:30 pm  Experience Studies and the Role of the Trustee
                                    Kevin Spanier, A Gallagher Company
                                    Lisa Bjornson, Buck, A Gallagher Company
                                   
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm    Legal, Legislative, and Regulatory Update
     Ashley Dunning, Nossaman LLP
                                    Rob Gauss, Ice Miller
    Tony Roda, Williams & Jensen PLLC
                                     
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm       NETWORKING RECEPTION
                                   
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24
 
7:00 am – 1:00 pm      REGISTRATION
 
7:00 am – 8:00 am      BREAKFAST
 
9:00 am – 1:00 pm      EXHIBITION
 
8:00 am – 1:15 pm      GENERAL SESSION
 
8:00 am – 8:45 am      Shaping Spaces: Demographics and Technology Influencing the Future of Real Estate
                                    Sabrina Unger, American Realty Advisors
 
8:45 am – 9:30 am      Turning the Roller Coaster into a Merry-Go-Round: Contribution Stabilization Strategies
                                    Peter Strong, Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company
                                    Israel Bichachi, Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company
 
9:30 am – 10:15 am    Foreign Recovery Panel
                                    Irwin Schwartz, DIVIDEX Management LLC
                                    Darren Check, Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
                                   
10:15 am – 10:45 am  EXHIBIT BREAK
 
10:45 am – 11:30 am  Lessons Learned from the Banking Crisis: A Look Back and Forward at the Six-Month Mark
                                    Adam Savett, Of Counsel, Wolf Popper
                                    Hannah Ross, Bernstein Litowitz Berger and Grossmann, LLP
                                    Mario Alba, Partner, Robbins Geller Rudman and Dowd
 
11:30 am – 12:15 pm  Understanding Private Debt: The Fastest Growing Asset Class in Institutional Investments
                                    Zia Uddin, Monroe Capital
                                    Tyler Gately, Barings
                                     
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm    Staffing and Retention Challenges in Public Funds
                                    Ed Donnelly, Police & Firemen’s Retirement System of New Jersey
                                    Tim Colacci, Police & Firemen’s Retirement System of New Jersey
                                    Greg Petzold, Police & Firemen’s Retirement System of New Jersey
 
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm      NETWORKING RECEPTION
 
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25
 
7:00 am – 12:00 pm    REGISTRATION
 
7:00 am – 8:00 am      BREAKFAST
 
8:00 am – 12:00 pm    GENERAL SESSION
 
8:00 am – 8:45 am      What is the Investment Opportunity in International Equities Today?
                                    John Mullins, Lyrical Asset Management
                                     
8:45 am – 9:30 am      Understanding Anti-ESG Legislative Efforts and Implications for Public Funds
                                    Moderator: Michael Hairston, National Education Association
     Renaye Manley, Service Employees International Union
     Elizabeth Parisian, American Federation of Teachers
     Julie Blaha, Minnesota State Auditor
 
9:30 am – 10:15 am    Tickling the Dragon’s Tail” – The Systemic Impact of Increased Illiquid Asset Holdings in Times of
      Market Stress
                                    Andy Hunt, Allspring Global Investments
 
10:15 am – 10:30 am  REFRESHMENT BREAK
                                               
10:30 am – 11:15 am  Real Estate – Real Issues – Defensive Strategies
                                    Steve Hagenbuckle, TerraCap Management LLC
                                    Nick Vician, TerraCap Management LLC


11:15 am – 12:00 pm  Pension Administration Best Practices
                                    Todd Flessner, CBIZ
 
12:00 pm                     Closing Remarks

 
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS
By attending the FALL Conference, you can earn up to 15 continuing education hours towards your Accredited Fiduciary (AF) recertification and/or state mandated continuing education requirements.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS 
Education
This conference offers premium education delivered to you in tracks that focus on key topics affecting the pension industry: Finance, Actuarial Science, Legislative and Legal. These sessions will enhance your knowledge and provide you with the skills you need to better serve your fund or union and move forward in your professional development.
 
Exhibit Hall 
Check out our exhibitors and learn more about the service providers that support our industry and your pension plan.
 
Networking
Connect, share ideas and best practices with your colleagues and or clients at the conference.