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Division of Pensions & Benefits

Board of Trustees & Commission Meeting Dates and Agendas for 2020

Please navigate to your plan below to find the meeting dates and agendas. Once agendas are received, they are linked to the meeting date associated.


The Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)

Nine Member Board: 6 Elected, 2 Gubernatorial Appointments, 1 Treasurer's Appointment

Name Term Position
Carey Brown 7/1/18 – 6/30/21 State Representative
Susanne Culliton N/A Treasurer's Representative
William O'Brien** 7/1/17 – 6/30/20 State Representative
Jeff S. Ignatowitz N/A Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits
Tracy Smith 7/1/17 – 6/30/20 County Representative
Thomas Bruno*(l) 7/1/16 – 6/30/19 State Representative
Benjamin “Max” Hurst 7/1/16 – 6/30/19 Municipal
William Tedder N/A Asst. Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits
Ronald Winthers N/A Gubernatorial Appointee
Robert Kelly N/A DAG - Legal Advisor - Division of Law
Brian Currie 7/1/17 – 6/30/20 Municipal Representative
Vacancy N/A Gubernatorial Appointee

*Chairperson

**Vice-chairperson

(l) State Investment Council Representative

(a) Actuarial Selection Committee Representative

PERS Board Election Information

Municipal Representative (Term July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023)

Two candidates, Fiona DeScala and Phillip McMahon, received the number of nominations (300) required for an election, which was sent to begin in March of 2020. However, due to the current health crisis, the election was postponed until it was feasible for the locations to distribute election ballots to all eligible PERS-Municipal members. Due to the postponement, one of the two PERS-Municipal seats on the Board became vacant on July 1, 2020, at the end of the 3-year term filled by the former trustee. At its meeting of July 15, 2020, the PERS Board voted to restart the election, and scheduled the election to begin the week of August 10, 2020 to run through October 2, 2020. Subsequently, the Board voted to extend the election twice, first until November 2, 2020, and then until December 2, 2020. The election ended on December 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

At its meeting of December 9, 2020, the Board accepted the certification of the election results whereby Fiona DeScala was declared the winner.

State Representative (Term July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2024)

A State representative will be elected for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2021 and ending on June 30, 2024.

The deadline for candidates to declare their interest in running for this position ended on December 4, 2020.

Nominations of those candidates who declared their interest in becoming a PERS State representative must be received online or arrive in the Board Office on or before 4:00 p.m. Friday, January 4, 2021. If more than one State candidate receives 500 or more nominations, an election will be required. Election ballots will be mailed to PERS-State employers for distribution on or about March 29, 2021.

Nominations to support a candidate are made primarily through a secure Web site. The process is easy and it only takes a few minutes to support the candidate of your choice. You just need to have access to a computer and log on to the Election-America State website and follow the simple directions. You will need to provide the last (4) digits of your social security number, the first (4) letters of your last name, and your birthdate. You will then see a list of all the candidates, and you can make your selection.

The general responsibility for the operation of the PERS is vested in the Board of Trustees under the provisions of N.J.S.A. 43:15A-17. The Board meets monthly at the Division of Pensions and Benefits in Trenton. The statute provides that no employee shall suffer loss of salary or wages because of serving on the Board.

Present Members – Term

State Representatives: Thomas Bruno – 2022; Carey Brown – 2021; William O'Brien – 2023; County Representative: Tracy Smith – 2023; Municipal Representatives: Benjamin "Max" Hurst – 2022; Fiona DeScala – 2023; Gubernatorial Appointments: Ronald Winthers, One Vacant; State Treasurer's Representative: Susanne Culliton, Ex-Officio Member

The general responsibility for the operation of the PERS is vested in the Board of Trustees under the provisions of N.J.S.A. 43:15A-17. The Board meets monthly at the Division of Pensions and Benefits in Trenton. The statute provides that no employee shall suffer loss of salary or wages because of serving on the Board.

PERS Board Responsibilities

  • Render decisions regarding Disability Retirement cases.
  • Review appeals pertaining to the denial of certain pension benefits.
  • Adopt rules and regulations to provide for the payment of benefits and collection of monies as required by statute.
  • Establish rules and regulations within the limitations of statutes and opinions of the Courts and the Attorney General, designed to prevent injustices and inequities that may arise in the operation of the Retirement System.
  • Resolve individual questions and appeals on the merits of each case in terms of statutes, opinions of the Attorney General, advice of the Actuary and cases cited by counsel as deliberated by the Courts.
  • View monthly and annual reports setting forth data such as assets and liabilities, income and disbursements, and statistical summarization of membership as documented by the Actuary.
  • View monthly and annual reports setting forth data such as assets and liabilities, income and disbursements, and statistical summarization of membership as documented by the Actuary.
Meeting Date Name File Type
January 15, 2020 Christos Diktas
January 15, 2020 Rory Maradonna
January 15, 2020 Dianne Merwin
January 15, 2020 Darlene Hyman
February 19, 2020 Sherol Anderson
March 18, 2020 Orlando Arce
July 15, 2020 Lois Spaziani
August 19, 2020 Judy Thorpe
October 21, 2020 Jan Balut
November 18, 2020 Randall Schiffelbein
December 9, 2020 Georgio Chatzikyriakos

The Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF)

Seven Member Board: 3 Teachers; 2 Governor Appointments; 1 Elected by the Board; 1 Treasurer's Representative

Name Term Position
Irene Savicky** 12/31/19 Retired Teacher
Howard Lipoff* 12/31/20 Teacher
Vacancy N/A Governor Appointment
Susanne Culliton N/A Treasurer's Representative
Edward Yarusinsky (l) 12/31/21 Retired Teacher
Edward G. McCarthy N/A Governor Appointment
Sarah M. Favinger 8/31/21 Elected by the Board
Deputy Attorney General N/A DAG - Legal Advisor - Division of Law
Angelina Scales N/A Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits
Sharon Barnes N/A Assistant Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits

*Chairperson

**Vice-chairperson

(l) State Investment Council Representative

The Board of Trustees of the TPAF adopted N.J.A.C. 17:3-1.4, which sets forth the procedure for the election of a member-trustee.

ELECTION RESULTS

Howard Lipoff from Bergen County representing Group A will begin his three year term on January 1, 2021.

2022 TRUSTEE POSITION

The current election is to fill a trustee position from Group B, for a three-year term commencing on January 1, 2022. Group B consists of Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Warren counties.

Names of those who wish to become a candidate for this position must be a resident of the State of New Jersey and must be employed in or retired from one of the counties listed above in Group B. Written letters of interest for this position will be accepted by the Secretary of the TPAF Board no later than March 1, 2021. In the event that more than one candidate has registered  with the Board Secretary, an election will be required which is conducted electronically via the member’s Member Benefits Online System (MBOS) account. The delegates and alternates selected from the membership of each county shall vote for the member-trustee.

DELEGATES/ALTERNATES

We would like to thank those delegates and alternates who registered this year with their respective county. These names will remain active through May 31, 2021.

Please remember to register with your respective county for the 2022 election of a member- trustee. Information on the selection of the delegates/alternates should be available with your respective County Superintendent’s Office on or about March 2021.

It is IMPORTANT for the counties to continue to annually submit the names of delegates and alternates. Eligibility is determined by where you worked-not your residence. Therefore,  the county contact will be based on the county where you are currently employed or your school district at the time you retired. If you are interested in being a delegate/alternate for the 2022 election of a member-trustee, contact your respective County Superintendent’s Office.

In order to participate in an election, a delegate/alternate must have an MBOS account in order to cast their vote. If a delegate/alternate has not established an MBOS account we recommend that they do it by accessing it through the Division’s website which is available at http://www.nj.gov/treasury/pensions/mbos-register.shtml.

If a delegate/alternate has established an MBOS account, you may access your MBOS account via the Login link on the State of New Jersey homepage at http://www.nj.gov.

We encourage you to periodically visit the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits’ website for information regarding future elections encourage you to periodically visit the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits’ website for information regarding future elections.

Contact information for each of the 21 counties is provided below.

Note: County contacts cannot respond to any questions related to pension and health benefits.

Other Relevant information and Links

Applicable Statute and Regulation: N.J.S.A 18A:66-56 and N.J.A.C 17:3-1.4 .

Contact information for each of the 21 counties is provided below.

Please note that the county contacts CANNOT respond to any questions related to pension and health benefits.

County County Contact Information Executive County Superintendent and alternate contact
Atlantic Julieta Moya: Julieta.moya@doe.nj.gov Robert Bumpus: robert.bumpus@doe.nj.gov
Bergen Lori Ferrer: lori.ferrer@doe.nj.gov Louis DeLisio: louis.delisio@doe.nj.gov
Burlington Jackie Lotsey: Jackie.lotsey@doe.nj.gov Daryl Minus-Vincent: daryl.minus-vincent@doe.nj.gov
Camden Rosa Rodriguez: Rosalina.Rodriquez@doe.nj.gov Lovell Pugh-Bassett: lovell.pugh-bassett@doe.nj.gov
Cape May Amanda Olsen: amanda.olsen@doe.nj.gov Judith DeStefano-Anen: judith.destefano-anen@doe.nj.gov
Cumberland Samantha Ludwig: samantha.ludwig@doe.nj.gov Leslie White-Coursey: leslie.white-coursey@doe.nj.gov
Essex Maria Meyler: maria.meyler@doe.nj.gov Joseph Zarra: joseph.zarra@doe.nj.gov
Gloucester Jillian Palladino-Gillespie: jillian.palladino-gillespie@doe.nj.gov Ave Altersitz: ave.altersitz@doe.nj.gov
Hudson Noreen Rizzolo: noreen.rizzolo@doe.nj.gov Melissa Pearce: melissa.pearce@doe.nj.gov
Hunterdon Darlene Wene: darlene.wene@doe.nj.gov Juan Torres: juan.torres@doe.nj.gov
Mercer Helen Haniffy: helen.haniffy@doe.nj.gov Yasmin Hernandez-Manno: yasmin.hernandez@doe.nj.gov
Middlesex Debbie Hudson: Debbie.Hudson@doe.nj.gov Kyle Anderson: kyle.anderson@doe.nj.gov
Monmouth Donna Pesci: donna.pesci@doe.nj.gov Lester Richens: Lester.richens@doe.nj.gov
Morris Shirley Stoll: shirley.stoll@doe.nj.gov Angelica Allen-McMillan: angelica.allen-mcmillan@doe.nj.gov
Ocean Debbie Thomas: Debbie.thomas@doe.nj.gov Kevin Ahearn: kevin.ahearn@doe.nj.gov
Passaic Jackie Trejos: Jackie.trejos@doe.nj.gov Carlos Rodriguez: carlos.rodriguez@doe.nj.gov
Salem Joan Heil: joan.heil@doe.nj.gov Peggy Nicolosi: peggy.nicolosi@doe.nj.gov
Somerset Lori Watson: lori.watson@doe.nj.gov Roger Jinks: roger.jinks@doe.nj.gov
Sussex Janet Price: janet.price@doe.nj.gov Dr. Rosalie Lamonte: rosalie.lamonte@doe.nj.gov
Union Camille Busichio: camille.busichio@doe.nj.gov Daryl Palmieri: daryl.palmieri@doe.nj.gov
Warren Samantha Grape: samantha.grape@doe.nj.gov Dr. Rosalie Lamonte: rosalie.lamonte@doe.nj.gov Mary Jane Tanner: maryjane.tanner@doe.nj.gov
Meeting Date Name File Type
February 6, 2020 Kristen Barron-Geubtner
April 2, 2020 Kelly A. Buskey
May 7, 2020 Gina Riley
October 1, 2020 Sharon Giles
October 1, 2020 Enid Golden
November 12, 2020 Tishara Landi
December 3, 2020 Jason Kornegay

The Police and Firemen's Retirement System of New Jersey (PFRSNJ)

Police and Firemen's Retirement System of New Jersey Board of Trustees - Term effective February 1, 2019

P.L. 2018, c. 55 (Chapter 55), established a new Police and Firemen’s Retirement System of New Jersey (PFRSNJ) Board of Trustees, effective February 1, 2019.

Three (3) active Police Representatives: One (1) elected by the active members of the system, one (1) appointed by the president of the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), and one (1) appointed by the President of the New Jersey State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) . Three (3) active Fire Representatives: One (1) elected by the active members of the system, one (1) appointed by the president of the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA), and one (1) appointed by the President of the Professional Firefighter’s Association of New Jersey (PFANJ). One (1) retiree elected from the retirees of the system. Five (5) Trustees appointed by the Governor.

Name Position
Ed Donnelly* NJFMBA Appointment
James Kompany** PBA Appointment
Timothy Colacci PFANJ Appointment
Marc Morgan FOP Appointment
Raymond Heck Police Representative (Elected)
Matthew Lubin Fire Representative (Elected)
Bruce Polkowitz Retiree Representative (Elected)
Edward T. Oatman Governor's Appointment
Nicola Trasente Governor's Appointment
John C. Glidden, Jr. Governor's Appointment
Susan Jacobucci Governor's Appointment
John Megariotis Governor's Appointment

*Chairperson

**Vice-chairperson

Police Representative (Term: February 1, 2021 – January 31, 2025)

At its meeting on November 9, 2020, the PFRSNJ Board of Trustees deemed Raymond Heck elected to a four year term as Police Representative to the PFRSNJ Board, effective February 1, 2021. Mr. Heck was the only candidate to obtain 500 or more eligible PFRS active police nominations. Therefore, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 17:4-1.4, the PFRSNJ Board noted that Mr. Heck was elected to the active Police Representative position without balloting.

Present Members - Term

Three (3) active police representatives:

  1. Raymond Heck – Elected by the active police members of the PFRS – Term 1/31/21
  2. James Kompany – Appointed by the NJ State PBA president
  3. Marc Morgan – Appointed by the NJ FOP president

Three (3) active fire representatives:

  1. Matthew Lubin – Elected by the active fire members of the PFRS – Term 1/31/23
  2. Ed Donnelly – Appointed by the NJ FMBA president
  3. Tim Colacci – Appointed by the PFANJ president

One Retiree

  1. Bruce Polkowitz – Elected by retirees of PFRS – Term 1/31/23

Five Trustees Appointed by the Governor

  1. John Megariotis
  2. Edward Oatman
  3. Susan Jacobucci
  4. Nicola Trasente
  5. John Glidden

Board Responsibilities

  • Render determinations regarding Disability Retirement cases and approve retirements.
  • Review appeals pertaining to the disallowance of pension benefits.
  • Adopt rules and regulations to (a) provide for the payment of benefits and collection of monies as required by the statute and (b) to prevent injustices and inequities that may arise in the operation of the Retirement System within the limitations of statutes and opinions of the Courts.
  • Resolve individual questions on the merits of each case in terms of statutes, advice of the Actuary and cases cited by counsel as deliberated by the Courts.
  • View monthly and annual reports setting forth data such as assets and liabilities, income and disbursements and statistical summarization of membership as documented by the Actuary.
  • The Board will be responsible for the funding policies of the Board and directing the investments of the funds.
  • Transmit hearing requests to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) and review decisions from the OAL.

The State Police Retirement System (SPRS)

Meetings are held every Fourth Tuesday Every Other Month at 10:00 A.M.

*Indicates Change Due to Holiday or Conflict of Original Schedule.

Five Member Board: 2 members appointed by Superintendent of State Police; 2 Governor's Appointments (Vacant); 1 Treasurer's Appointment

Name Appointment Date Position
Vacancy N/A Governor's Appointment
Wayne Korte* 11/28/17 State Police Appointment
Robert Garrison N/A (DAG - Legal Advisor)
Vacancy N/A Governor's Appointment
Susanne Culliton N/A Treasurer's Appointment
Sharon Barnes N/A Assistant Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits
Sherri Schuster** 2/9/18 State Police Appointment
MaryEllen Rathbun N/A Board Secretary - Division of Pensions & Benefits

*Chairperson

**Vice-chairperson

The State Police member representatives to the Board of Trustees are appointed by the Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.

Meeting Date Name File Type
January 28, 2020 Robert Nagle

The Judicial Retirement System (JRS)

Meetings are held quarterly

These meetings are run by the State House Commission and take place at the State House. Visit the Statehouse Commission website for more information.

The State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC)

Meetings are held every second Wednesday at 10:00 A.M.

  • August 12, 2020 - Canceled
  • August 19, 2020 - Canceled
  • August 25, 2020 - Canceled
  • September 9, 2020
  • September 4, 2020*
  • November 10, 2020

*Rate Renewal Meeting.

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. at the Division of Pensions & Benefits, 50 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.

  • Susanne Culliton, Chairperson, representing State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio
  • Gale Simon, representing Acting Commissioner Marlene Caride of the Dept. of Banking and Insurance
  • Deirdre Webster Cobb, Civil Service Commission
  • Dudley Burdge, AFL-CIO representative for Local Government Employees
  • Debra Davis, AFL-CIO representative for State Government Employees

The School Employees' Health Benefits Commission (SEHBC)

Meetings are held every other month at 10:00 A.M.

  • January 22, 2020
  • March 25, 2020
  • May 27, 2020
  • July 16, 2020
  • July 29, 2020 - Cancelled

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 10:00 a.m. at the Division of Pensions & Benefits, 50 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.

*This meeting will be held via teleconference.

Toll-Free: 877-226-8164
Caller Paid: 409-207-6979
Access Code: 8282510

  • Sonia Rivera-Perez, Chairperson, representing State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio
  • Thomas Gallagher, representing Acting Commissioner Marlene Caride of the Dept. of Banking and Insurance
  • Kevin Kelleher, NJEA
  • Dan Goldman, NJEA
  • Julie Giordano Plotkin, Associate Director, NJEA
  • Cynthia Jahn, N.J. School Boards Association
  • Michael Maillaro, Commissioner, AFL-CIO representative
  • VACANT, Governor's Appointee
  • VACANT, Chairperson

The Pension and Health Benefits Review Commission (PHBRC)

Meeting dates have been scheduled at 10:00 AM in the 1st floor board room at the New Jersey Division of Pensions & Benefits, 50 West State Street, Trenton, NJ.

  • February 21, 2020 - Canceled
  • April 17, 2020 - Canceled
  • June 19, 2020 - Canceled
  • August 21, 2020 - Canceled
  • October 16, 2020 - Canceled
  • December 18, 2020 - Canceled

The State Health Benefits Program (SHBP)
and School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP)
Plan Design Committees

State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee

Meetings start at 1:00 P.M.

School Employees' Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee

Meetings start at 10:00 A.M.

State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Plan Design Committee Members

  • Justin Zimmerman, Chief of Staff, Department of Banking and Insurance
  • Dini Ajmani, Assistant Treasurer
  • Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, Assistant Treasurer
  • Tennille R. McCoy, Assistant Commissioner of Human Capital Strategies, Department of Labor and Workforce Development
  • Kimberly Holmes, EEO/AA Officer, Department of Community Affairs
  • Michael Zanyor, NJSTFA
  • Kevin Lyons, NJ State PBA
  • Robert Little, AFSCME NJ Regional Field Services Director
  • Patrick Nowlan, AAUP – AFT (Chair)
  • David Ridolfino, Acting Director, Office of Management and Budget
  • Hetty Rosenstein, New Jersey Area Director, CWA/District 1
  • David Krueger, NJ State FMBA

School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) Plan Design Committee Members

  • John Megariotis , Acting Director, Division of Pensions and Benefits
  • Jennifer Keyes-Maloney, Governor Appointee
  • Kevin Kelleher, Director, NJEA
  • Donna Chiera, AFT/AFL-CIO
  • David Ridolfino, Director, Office of Management and Budget
  • Julie Giordano Plotkin, Associate Director, NJEA

Other Boards and Committees

Meetings begin at 9:30 A.M.

  • April 27, 2020
  • June 9, 2020
  • October 13, 2020
  • December 8, 2020*

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the Division of Pensions and Benefits, First Floor Board Room, 50 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey.

*Due to health and safety concerns for the public regarding COVID-19, the meeting of December 8, 2020, will be conducted via teleconference. Members of the public may attend the meeting telephonically by dialing in at 1-844-867-6165; Access Code: 5170414.

Meetings begin at 9:30 A.M.

  • February 11, 2020
  • August 11, 2020*

*Due to health and safety concerns for the public regarding COVID-19, the meeting of August 11, 2020, will be conducted via teleconference. Members of the public may attend the meeting telephonically by dialing in at 1-844-867-6165; Access Code 2466345

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the Division of Pensions and Benefits, First Floor Board Room, 50 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey.

Meetings begin at 10:00 A.M.

  • February 11, 2020
  • April 27, 2020
  • June 9, 2020
  • August 11, 2020
  • October 13, 2020
  • December 8, 2020*

*Due to health and safety concerns for the public regarding COVID-19, the meeting of December 8, 2020, will be conducted via teleconference. Members of the public may attend the meeting telephonically by dialing in at 1-844-867-6165; Access Code 4100796

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Last Updated: Tuesday, 04/05/22