Summer ForumAug. 12-14, 2018 (11)

SUMMER FORUMAug.12-14,2018inSanAntonio/ RegisterbyJuly30

DO NOT
MISS OUT

Get access to trustee
training, professional
development workshops,
industry discussions, and
networking opportunities.

REGISTER ONLINE

It is easy to register for
the Summer Educational
Forum at TEXPERS.org. Get
a special room rate if register
by July 20. -pg. 6

GAIN PERSPECTIVE

A collection of speakers
gives you the tools you
need to lead your fund. -
pg. 11

HAVE SOME FUN

Attend a members-only
dinner party, hear live
music, play golf, explore
San Antonio's Riverwalk. -
pg. 14

2. SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM 2018 REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG

The Texas Association of Public Employee Retirement
Systems is a statewide nonprofit educational
association organized in 1989. Our members are
trustees, administrators, professional service providers,
employee groups and associations engaged or
interested in the management of public employee
retirement systems.

TEXPERS member systems represent nearly 130,000
active and retired pension participants and
approximately $89 billion in assets. Members
come from a variety of public employee industries
including law enforcement, fire suppression, and
municipal government.

TEXPERS focuses on helping its members become
more valuable to their funds and stakeholders. Each
year, through programs such as the summer forum,
TEXPERS members become more successful
professionally by contributing peer-based support,
participating in educational programs, taking
leadership roles within and outside of the association,
and by promoting the highest standards of professional
competence and ethics. 

Misson Statement

To strengthen Texas by expanding awareness of public
pension issues, providing high-quality training to
retirement systems' decision makers and working to
assure the promised benefits of public employees.

REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM 2018 .3

TEXPERS Summer Educational Forum Aug. 12-14, 2018

contents

Twitter: @texpers1 | Facebook: @texpers | Web: www.texpers.org

MEMBERSHIP

TEXPERS Executive Director Max
Patterson explains why membership in
the association is valuable and how the
Summer Educational Forum fulfills its
mission by providing quality training to

29 trustees and administrators. -pg. 4

HOTEL, VENUE AND
TRANSPORTATION

Registering online at TEXPERS.org gives
Summer Educational Forum attendees

34 access to the best hotel rates available at

the forum venue. Room block rates are
available until July 20. -pg. 6-7

LEADERSHIP TIPS FROM
A CHILI QUEEN

You can learn a lot about governance
from a chili chef. A San Antonio 'chili
queen' explains the connection. -pg. 8-10

AGENDA

TEXPERS is sharing its recipe for returns
during its Summer Educational Forum.

40 See the preliminary schedule of guest

speakers, discussion sessions, events,
roundtables and training. -pg. 11-12

DEVELOPMENT

Gain perspective from experts discussing
industry trends, leadership insights and
technology. -pg. 13

THINGS TO DO

Don't just sit there - mingle, explore San
Antonio's River Walk, and dine. -pg. 14

4. SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM 2018 REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG

What's the value of
a TEXPERS membership? 

Professional development

As public pension system trustees and administrators, you are scrutinized
for the decisions you make in handling the funds of public employees, and
rightly so. The public inspection is warranted because the job of managing a
retirement system isn’t to be taken lightly. After all, the secure retirement of
your fund’s active and retired participants are at stake.

That’s why it is essential for pension system trustees and administrators to
stay current with the latest industry developments, gain a better
understanding of rules and regulations, and expand their leadership skill-
sets through continuing education. TEXPERS is the largest provider of
pension trustee training and continuing education for pension system
trustees and administrators in Texas.

Your TEXPERS membership offers you the ability to attend conferences,
networking events and training programs. Our programming caters to
public pensions and are great ways for you to learn the ins and outs of the
field. At the same time, our events introduce you to potential business
contacts and mentors. Our conferences allow you to witness speeches and
presentations by industry leaders. Our events are both informative and
inspirational.

TEXPERS is hosting its annual Summer Educational Forum Aug. 12-14 in San
Antonio. It’s your chance to gain a greater knowledge of running public
pension systems. The day before the conference, Aug. 11, we are hosting our
Advanced Trustee Training program, which is geared to giving you
additional tools to become better system leaders.

During this year’s forum, we have sponsors and speakers from
across the nation, including Jeff Kempker of the Missouri Local
Government Employees Retirement System, Joe Gimenez of g3
Public Relations, and Bonita Hatchett-Bodie of Clark Hill,
Strasburger, and Price. Amid the keynote speakers, breakout
sessions, and roundtable discussions, there will be plenty of time to
network, enjoy the delicious meals we have planned, and play
some golf or tour the city.

I encourage you to flip through this guide to see all the It takes many people to put our events together for our
opportunities the forum will provide you and to visit our website at members. I want to thank my small but mighty staff at
www.texpers.org and register for both the Advanced Trustee TEXPERS for putting this forum together. Finally, visit the
Training and the Summer Educational Forum. You will be the last page of this publication for a list of our event sponsors.
better for it and so will your pension members. When you see someone with their logos around the
conference, thank them for supporting TEXPERS.
And for those that serve public pensions, there’s no better place to
mingle with your current or future clients because we have Texas -Max Patterson
public pensions in common. TEXPERS provides ample networking TEXPERS Executive Director
time, including our Member’s Event on Sunday evening, which is
hosted by TEXPERS Associate Members.

REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG SUMMER EDUCATIONALFORUM 2018 .5

2018 BOARD OF Scenes from 2017 Summer Educational Forum
DIRECTORS & STAFF

President: Paul R. Brown
Big Spring Firemen's Relief & Retirement

1st Vice President: Jim Smith
San Antonio Fire & Police Pension Fund

2nd Vice President: John D. Jenkins
Dallas Employees' Retirement Fund

Secretary: Sherry Mose
Houston Municipal Employees Pension System

Treasurer: Eyna Canales-Zarate
City of Austin Employees' Retirement System

Board Members:
Jose Cavazos, Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Tyler Grossman, El Paso Fire & Police Pension Fund
Larry Knott, Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Larry A. Reed, San Antonio Fire & Police Pension Fund
Billy Samuel, Fort Worth Employees' Retirement Fund
David Stacy, Midland Firemen's Relief & Retirement Fund

TEXPERS OFFICE
13111 Northwest Freeway
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77040
713-622-8018
[email protected]

Max Patterson
Executive Director

Carolyn Butterworth
Director of Conferences & Member Relations

Barbara Zlatnik
Associate Director for Programs & Training

Lena Terrell
Membership Manager & Accountant

Allen Jones
Communications Manager

Samantha Polsgrove
Member Services Specialist

6. SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM 2018 REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG

Hotel Information

Grand Hyatt San Antonio
600 E. Market St., An Antonio, TX 78205

The Grand Hyatt is located in the city of San Antonio’s historic
downtown and is a gateway to the city’s famed River Walk, a network
of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River offering access
to shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment and historic attractions such
as The Alamo.

The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi and features a rooftop pool and
sundeck, a 24-hour fitness center, YogaAway classes available on
guestroom TV, a 24-hour business center, and a coffee and snack shop
that is open to guests day and night. Foodies will want to dine at the
hotel’s famed Ruth’s Chris Steak House. And, stop by the hotel’s Bar
Rojo for cocktails.

The hotel also offers in-room dining, concierge service, an ATM, laundry
and dry cleaning, and a gift shop.

Hotel Reservation Cut-off Date: July 20

Hotel Reservation Number via Passkey TEXPERS: 888-421-1442

Online Reservations:  Online reservations using the TEXPERS room
block link will prove the best rates. Look for the room block link found

in your registration confirmation email.

Parking Discount: $20 Overnight Self Parking for Hotel Guests. Daily
Attendees rate is $31 per day

REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM 2018 7.

Grand Hyatt 2nd Floor Event Map

Airport

San Antonio International
Airport is located 9 miles, 
an approximate 11 minute
drive, from the hotel. 

It is located in Uptown
Central San Antonio, which
is about 8 miles north of the
city's downtown. 

For flight information, visit
www.sanantonio.gov/SAT.
The airport also offers
access to a variety of
ground transportation
services, including access
to taxis, rideshare, and
car rents. Call  210-207-3411
for details.

LEADERSHIP
TIPS FROM A
CHILI QUEEN

"LIKE A CHILI CHEF, PENSION TRUSTEES AND
ADMINISTRATORS NEED FORTITUDE"
- DIANA ANDERSON

REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM 9.

DESIRE - COMMIT - ADAPT Some trace its roots to San Antonio, where TEXPERS is
hosting this year’s annual Summer Educational Forum.
THE WAY OF
THE CHILI Some 200 years ago, women known as “chili queens” would
take their cooking pots to the plazas of San Antonio where
By Allen Jones they would cook their spicy stews over open fires. Their dishes
often included tomatoes and beans, but not always.
TEXPERS is hosting its annual Summer Educational Forum
Aug. 12-14 and will be serving up Texas Pension Chili: a Recipe Seasonings may have included garlic, onions and cumin.
for Returns to help you become a better fund leader. Chili is a Setting up crude tables and stools, women would turn the
dish frequently used in cook-offs, and although many people plaza into makeshift restaurants, or chili parlors. Soldiers,
debate over the best version of it, cooking the dish is a lot like tourists, cattlemen and musicians often were patrons of the
leading a pension system. It takes commitment, inspiration parlors, paying 10 cents for a bowl of chili. In the 1920s, chili
and the ability to adapt to produce successful results. parlors would spread across the U.S. making the dish and its
various incarnations a favorite staple of American comfort
Chili con carne, or what most Americans shorten to chili, is food.
named for its base ingredients of chili peppers and meat –
usually beef. The dish originated in northern Mexico and Today, there are a variety of chili dishes. There is vegetarian
Texas.  chili; chili made with green chili peppers, called Chili Verde;
pork-based chili, white chicken chili, and black bean chili, to
name a few. Tastes even differ geographically over the types of
meat and ingredients, such as Rocky Mountain Chili that
often includes ground elk or other local game as its main
meat stewed with chipotles, chocolate and coffee. Our
firefighter friends may enjoy Five Alarm Chili, which uses five
different types of peppers in the recipe to pile on the heat.

10. SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG

It seems everyone has their favorite chili dish. Cooking it Diana Anderson, co-owner of JD's Chili Parlor.
can be a very personal thing, says Diana Anderson, who
co-owns JD’s Chili Parlor with her husband John in San No chili dish is alike, and neither are pension systems. Chili
Antonio. Anderson is a modern-day chili queen. She caters recipes may have some common ingredients, but there may
various farmers markets and other events, setting up tents be different people making the dish with individual ideas of
to cook and serve a variety of chili dishes. what flavors work together best. Chili cooks have different skill
levels. A chef may have to tweak a recipe to account for dietary
She considers herself a student of chili’s past. Anderson is restrictions. A region may have preferred meat such as venison
currently helping research chili’s roots in the U.S. for a or chicken instead of traditional beef. Some chili eaters may
documentary film. not want meat of any kind in their chili.

She traces the dish to a stew-like fare once cooked Likewise, each pension system is one of a kind. Officials face
outdoors on Canary Island. The recipe included garlic, chili common challenges, but one fund’s best practices may not be
peppers, wild onions and cumin spice blend resembling the most effective for another. Every system is at a different
the Berber seasoning style of Morocco, she says. stage of development and operates in a separate legislative,
socio-political and economic environment. Each fund has
Anderson says there are several ways cooking chili relates different board members with varying levels of expertise and
to leadership. A good chili takes time to create, often degrees of confidence in their staff and consultants. Fund
simmering all day, so it is just right to ladle into bowls. leaders have different decision-making styles, access to various
Cooks must have a passion for what they are creating. resources, and may deal with different authorities. Pension
And, they must be willing to experiment with flavors and funds have different types of investments and may have a
spices. large membership or very few.

Like a chili chef, pension trustees and administrators need Not everyone is called to be an expert in chili making or in
fortitude. Failing to cook chili for the appropriate amount running a public pension plan. Everyone, however, should be
of time will have lackluster results that fail to please taste willing to develop their skill sets to do the best job they
buds. Likewise, a pension fund’s trustees and possibly can. As TEXPERS hosts its annual Summer
administrators must understand that today’s fiduciary Educational Forum, take a cue from chili queens of past and
decisions will have profound, long-term impacts on present: be passionate about the work you have committed to
members, retirees, beneficiaries, plan sponsors, taxpayers do and be willing to find the right ingredients uniquely suited
and the general public. Pension system leaders distracted to your fund.
from their primary purpose of meeting retirement benefit
obligations could gain unwanted public criticism. Fund
officials must hold ethics to high standards.

Cooking chili also takes passion. A good chili cook wants
to learn all they can about prepping food, selecting fresh
ingredients, and combining flavors that please family,
friends, or customers. Anderson says leaders of public
employee pension systems must have the hunger to
ensure their active members receive a secure income
when they retire.

A leader with true passion will want to understand rules
and regulations to which pension systems must adhere. A
passionate leader will want to learn about the challenges
of a rapidly changing and complex policy and investment
environment. Passionate leaders get excited about sifting
through large volumes of data to glean insights to
become better fiduciaries. They also enjoy advocating on
behalf of their members when challenged by public
officials and others looking to dismantle defined-benefit
plans. And, importantly, they want to take part in
continuing education to be the best leaders they can
become.

REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM 2018 11.

Recipe for Success MONDAY, AUGUST 13,  cont.

*Preliminary Agenda is subject to change.  8:30-9 a.m.: Gold Keynote Speaker - "How an
Independent Perspective Helps Achieve Better
SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 Outcomes"
Presenter: Josh Rubin, Thornburg Investment
PRE-CONFERENCE TRAINING Management
9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Advanced Trustee Training
Topic 1: Commodities in the Crosshairs: Searching 9:05-9:45 a.m.: Panel Discussion
for Alpha in Energy, Metals, Ags and indexes Topic: "Ten Years After the Financial Crisis"
Presenter: David Lerman, CME Group Moderator/Speaker: Idanna Appio, First Eagle
Topic 2: Disaster Recovery Planning for Pensions Investment Management & Joshua Ruthizer, Wolf
Presenter: William McCarson, CPS Energy Popper LLP
Topic 3: Succession Planning for Pensions
Presenter: Will Harrell, Robert Harrell Inc. 9:45-10:05 a.m.: Break & Prize Drawing
Location: La Quinta, 303 Blum St.,
San Antonio 10:10-10:55 a.m.: Guest Speaker
Topic: "A Day in the Life of a Nerdy Public
SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 Employee"
Presenter: Author Beth Ziesenis
DAY 1: SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM
7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.: Golf Tournament, Awards & Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Luncheon 11:05-11:55 a.m.
Location: The Quarry Golf Course, 444 Basse Breakout A - "So, "You've Received a Freedom of
Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209 Information Request: Now What?"
Moderator:/Speaker: Joe Gimenez, g3 Public
10 a..m-Noon: Pre-conference Workshop, Relations & Allen Jones, TEXPERS
Topic: "Minutes Shouldn't Take Hours"
Presenter: Kay Crews, American Institute of Breakout B - "Communicating the Value of Public
Parliamentarians Services"
Location: Grand Hyatt Presenter: Jeff Kempker, Missouri Local
Government Employees Retirement System
3-5 p.m.: Conference Registration
Location: Grand Hyatt Lunch and Keynote Speaker Chad Hymas @
Noon-1:30 p.m.
5:30-9 p.m.: Welcome Reception, Dinner and
Desserts - "A Taste of the Riverwalk" Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Presenter: Courtesy of All Associate 1:45-2:40 p.m.
Members Breakout A - "Secret Tech Weapons for Public
Location: Grand Hyatt Employees"
Presenter: Beth Ziesenis, author
MONDAY, AUGUST 13
Breakout B - "Global Fixed Income Primer"
DAY 2: SUMMER FORUM @ Grand Hyatt Moderator/Speaker: Mary Kathryn Campion &
7 a.m.-4 p.m.: Registration Ashok Bhatia, Neuberger Berman

7-8 a.m.: Buffet Breakfast  2:50-3:40 p.m.
Breakout A - "Fundamentals of QDROs and
8:15-8:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremony Pensions: Plan Sponsor Obligations"
Presenter: Bonita Hatchett-Bodie, Clark Hill,
Strasburger & Price

Breakout B - "Commodities Investment
Opportunities"
Moderator/Speaker: David Lerman, CME Group

Agenda continued on next page

12. SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM 2018 REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG

MONDAY, AUGUST 13, cont. Topic E - Disability
Moderator: Russell Nash, City of Austin Employees
Reception Retirement System

TUESDAY, AUGUST 14 10:45-11:30 a.m.: Closing Session - "Underfunding:
How it Happens and
DAY 3: sUMMER FORUM @ Grand Hyatt How to Turn it Around"
7 a.m.: Registration Presenters: Anu Kumar, Pension Review Board,
and Chris Hanson, City of Austin Employees'
7-8:30 a.m.: Buffet Breakfast Retirement System

7:30-8:45 a.m.: TEXPERS Leadership Development 11:30 a.m.: Lunch - Summer Forum concludes
Program Roundtables
Breakout A - Plans One Billion and Above
Breakout B - Plans Under One Billion

9-10:30 a.m.: Roundtables
Topic A - ED/CIOs
Moderator: TBA

Topic B - Communications
Moderator: Allen Jones, TEXPERS

Topic C - Benefits
Moderator: TBA

Topic D - Small Fund Administration
Moderator: Gracie Flores, Corpus Christi Firefighters'
Retirement System

Trustee Training

From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 11, the day before the forum begins, TEXPERS is
offering Advanced Trustee Training.

Advanced Trustee Training is targeted at those that have taken TEXPERS Basic Trustee Training
or equivalent. Advanced training provides a deeper dive into various topics and provides four
hours of training. The August class topics are "Commodities in the Crosshairs: Searching for
Alpha in Energy, Metals, Ags and Indexes," presented by David Lerman of the CME Group, and
"Disaster Recovery Planning and Your Fund," presented by William McCarson of CPS Energy. Also,
Will Harrell of Robert Harrell Inc. will moderate a panel of trustees discussing "Succession
Planning and your Fund."

Login at www.texpers.org to sign up for Advanced Trustee Training at the same time as you
register for the Summer Forum or you can register only for the class. The registration fee is $50.

REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM 2018 13.

4 Ways to Improve Your
Professional Goals

AVOID LEARN FROM BE TECH-SAVVY CONTROL
'GROUP THINK' THE PAST YOUR FUTURE
Beth Ziesenis
Find out how an Ten years have wants to become Chad Hymas
independent gone by since the your nerdy best became a
outlook helps Great Recession. friend. The quadriplegic after
achieve better Join Idanna international he broke his neck
outcomes during Appio of First speaker and in an accident.
gold keynote Eagle Investment author will teach Even so, he is in
speaker Josh Management and you about the control of his
Rubin's talk Joshua Ruthizer best free and future. Be
Monday, Aug. 13 of Wolf Popper cheap technology inspired by and
at 8:30 a.m. Rubin LLP to see what tools you can use laugh with the
is a client has changed at work make professional
portfolio manager since the financial your life easier. speaker and
for Thornburg crisis at 9:05 a.m. Catch Beth at author Monday,
Investment Monday, Aug. 13. 10:10 a.m. Aug. 13 after
Management.  Monday, Aug. 13. lunch.

JOSH RUBIN IDANNA APPIO JOSHUA RUTHIZER BETH ZIESENIS CHAD HYMAS

14. SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG

HAVE SOME FUN

There is plenty of time to enjoy San Antonio while attending TEXPERS' Summer Educational Forum.
Here is just a sampling of the excursions you can go on while in town.

Summer is here and that means TEXPERS is offering its A members dinner party is set to start at 5:30 p.m. Sunday,
members opportunities to meet people, develop ideas, and Aug. 12. at the Grand Hyatt hotel. Attendees are invited to
expand their professional skills during its forum Aug. 12-14 in enjoy a variety of authentic cuisines that can be found in local
San Antonio. But, it's also important to get outside your hotel restaurants and soak up the San Antonio ambiance at the
and mingle, have some fun, and enjoy the area's cultural River Walk-themed dinner party. In addition to enjoying food
destinations. and drinks, listen to the Grateful Geezers band perform music
from the 1950s through the '80s. One of their members is a
TEXPERS is hosting a golf tournament and awards luncheon retired Houston firefighter. 
from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 at The Quarry Golf
Course, 444 Basse Rd. The Quarry, pictured above, is an The forum ends after lunch Tuesday, Aug. 14. Consider
award-winning course designed by nationally-recognized golf extending your stay to enjoy the San Antonio River Walk,
course designer Keith Foster. The course's front nine plays in a located steps away from the Grand Hyatt. The network of
links-style format and features rolling hills, native grasses and walkways includes trendy cafes, open-air farmers' markets, 
immaculate greens. The back nine lays out in a 100-year-old art museums, craft markets and Mission-era structures such
quarry pit. You can register to play in the tournament during as The Alamo.  For a list of places to visit, head online to
your online registration through July 30 at www.texpers.org. www.visitsanantonio.com. 
Golf registration is free for retirement system members.

REGISTER: WWW.TEXPERS.ORG SUMMER EDUCATIONAL FORUM 15.

FORUM SPONSORS

Our supporters help spice things up during
TEXPERS' 2018 Summer Educational Forum.

GOLD KEYNOTE SILVER PLUS

Thornburg Investment Management Neuberger Berman

GOLD SILVER

First Eagle Investment Management CME Group
Wolf Popper LLP DWS Distributors, Inc.

BRONZE

Frost Bank