The Retirement Board is responsible for the administration of the Retirement System. It has the fiduciary responsibility for the investment of assets and oversees the system.

Back row (standing, left to right): Philip LaJoy, Amy Deford, James Wiersma, John Ogden, Randy Girard. Front row (sitting): Michael Brown, Lori Newberg, Sally Dreves, Michael Gilmore.

MERS is administered by a nine-member Retirement Board consisting of the Following members:

• Three members of the Retirement System who are officers of a participating municipality or of a participating court, who shall be designated as Officer Board members.
• Three employee members of the Retirement System who are not officers of a participating municipality or of a participating court, who shall be designated as Employee Board members.
• Two members appointed by the Retirement Board who have knowledge or experience in retirement systems, administration of retirement systems, or investment management or advisory services.
• One member who is a retiree of the system, appointed by the Board.

Mr. Michael Brown - Officer Member - Chairperson
County Administrator, Barry County
Serving the Board since: November 2007
Committee: Investment
Education: Masters of Public Administration, Central Michigan University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Michigan State University
Term expires: 12-31-2013

Mr. Philip LaJoy - Officer Member
Chief Administrator of Canton Township
Serving the Board since: 2013
Committee: Budget
Education: Bachelor’s in Business, University of Detroit
Term expires: 12-31-2015

Mr. Randy Girard - Officer Member
Township Manager, Charter Township of Marquette
Serving the Board since: November 2007
Committee: Personnel
Education: Master of Arts, Public Administration, Northern Michigan University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Northern Michigan University
Term expires: 12-31-2014

Ms. Amy Deford - Employee Member
Retirement Administrator for the County of Saginaw
Serving the Board since: January 2012
Committee: Budget
Education: Degree in Business, Delta College
Term expires: 12-31-2014

Ms. Lori Newberg - Employee Member
Employee Services Coordinator, Ingham County, Lansing
Serving the Board since: January 2009
Committee: Personnel
Term expires: 12-31-2015

Ms. Sally Dreves - Employee Member - Chairperson ProTem
Human Resources Technician, Grand Traverse County
Serving the Board since: 2004
Committee: Personnel
Education: B.A. Degree, Business Administration, Ferris State University
Term expires: 12-31-2013

Mr. James R. Wiersma - Public Member
President, Family Investment & Resource Management, LLC, Holland
Serving the Board since: 2009
Committee: Investment
Education: BA, University of Michigan
Master of Business Administration, Bowling Green State University
Term expires: 12-31-2014

Mr. Michael Gilmore - Public Member
Director of Investment Management, Greene Wealth Management
Serving the Board since: 2012
Committee: Investment
Term expires: 12-31-2013

Mr. John Ogden, CPA - Retired Member
Retired Finance Director from the City of Port Huron
Serving the Board since: 2003
Committee: Budget
Education: BA, Walsh College
Certified Public Accountant
Term expires: 12-31-2015