News

In December, LACERA recognized the following trustees on the Boards of Retirement and Investments for their distinguished service to the organization, unwavering commitment to members, and exceptional dedication and leadership during their tenures.

Board of Retirement (BOR) Trustees and Board of Investments (BOI) Trustee

Herman B. Santos (Seat 2, elected by general members): Mr. Santos has served on the Board of Investments (BOI) from January 1, 2004 and Board of Retirement (BOR) from September 14, 2017.

On the BOI, Mr. Santos has served in numerous leadership roles, including Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary, while on the BOR has held the position of Vice Chair in 2018 and Chair in 2020.

In his current term, Mr. Santos has been a valuable member of various BOI and Joint BOR/BOI committees, including the Audit Committee, Joint Organizational Governance Committee (Chair in 2022 and 2023), Corporate Governance Committee, Equity: Public/Private Committee (Chair in 2022, 2023, and 2024), Real Assets Committee, Operations Oversight Committee (Vice Chair in 2021, 2022, and 2023), Disability Procedures and Services Committee, and Insurance, Benefits, and Legislative Committee.

BOR Trustees

Alan J. Bernstein (currently Seat 4, appointed by the Board of Supervisors): Mr. Bernstein was first appointed on February 2, 2011. He has held pivotal leadership roles on the BOR, including Chair (2019 and 2021), Vice Chair (2014, 2015, and 2023), and Secretary (2022).

Mr. Bernstein has been an active participant in key committees this term, including serving as Chair of the Operations Oversight Committee (2022 and 2023), member of the Audit Committee (2021 and 2022), and member of the Joint Organizational Governance Committee (2021 and 2023).

Elizabeth Greenwood (Seat 9, appointed by the Board of Supervisors): Ms. Greenwood began her term on December 1, 2022, stepping into the role previously held by Gina Zapanta. She will serve until December 31, 2023.

Ms. Greenwood also previously served on the Board of Investments from 2020 to 2022. In her current trustee position, she has been a member of the Joint Organizational Governance Committee (2023).

James P. Harris (elected by retired members): Mr. Harris first joined the Board of Retirement as the Alternate Safety Trustee on January 1, 2008. He has served two concurrent terms as the Alternate Retired Trustee (since 2018) and was reelected in August 2023 for a third term in that seat starting January 2024.

Mr. Harris has been an active member of key committees during his current term, including the Disability Procedures and Services Committee (2021 Chair), Joint Organizational Governance Committee (2022), Operations Oversight Committee (2022), and Insurance, Benefits, and Legislative Committee (2023).

Les Robbins (Seat 8, elected by retired members): Mr. Robbins was elected to his first term on November 1, 1997; elected to his latest term, which commenced January 2021; and reelected to the eighth seat in August 2023 for the term starting January 2024.

Mr. Robbins has served as Chair for many years during his long tenure on the BOR and has also held positions as Vice Chair (most recently in 2019) and Secretary. In addition, Mr. Robbins previously served in the fourth seat on the Board of Investments. This term, he has actively served in the following committees: Insurance, Benefits, and Legislative Committee (Chair in 2021, 2022, and 2023), Joint Organizational Governance Committee (2021), and Operations Oversight Committee (2021).

BOI Trustees

David Green (Seat 2, elected by general members): Mr. Green’s term began on January 1, 2012. He led the BOI as Chair in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020 and served as Vice Chair in 2014, 2015, and 2022.

Beyond his roles within the BOI, Mr. Green has been held the position of Vice Chair on the Audit Committee and contributed as a member of the Corporate Governance Committee, Equity: Public/Private Committee, Real Assets Committee, and the Credit and Risk Mitigation Committee.

Gina V. Sanchez: (Seat 9, appointed by the Board of Supervisors): Ms. Sanchez assumed her trustee position on January 1, 2018, and is serving her second term. She has led the BOI as Chair in 2023.

During her current term, she has participated in numerous committees, including the Audit Committee (Chair), Joint Organizational Governance Committee, Corporate Governance Committee, Equity: Public/Private Committee, Real Assets Committee, and Credit and Risk Mitigation Committee.

Joseph Kelly (Seat 8, elected by retired members): Mr. Kelly began his current term in 2021, but previously served on both boards as the ex-officio trustee, starting October 15, 2014. Mr. Kelly served as the BOI Vice Chair in 2021 and Secretary in 2015, 2016, and 2017.

Mr. Kelly has taken on the roles of both Chair and Vice Chair of the Audit Committee and has further served as a member of the Joint Organizational Governance Committee, Corporate Governance Committee, Real Assets Committee, and Credit and Risk Mitigation Committee.

Onyx Jones (Seat 7, appointed by the Board of Supervisors): Ms. Jones began her term on April 5, 2022.

She served as Audit Committee Chair in 2023 and was also a member of the Corporate Governance Committee, Equity Public/Private Committee, and Credit and Risk Mitigation Committee.

We extend our sincere appreciation to each trustee for their exception service. Their contributions have been instrumental in enhancing LACERA’s stability, resilience, and growth while ensuring we continue to meet our mission of producing, protecting, and providing the promised benefits to our members.