Back row (standing, left to right): Dale Feldpausch, James Wiersma, Jason Sarata, Michael Brown, Tina Butler. Front row (sitting): Amy Deford, John Ogden, Michael Gilmore, Randy Girard.

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

• Officer 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.
• Employee 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.
• Expert 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.
• Retiree Member
  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, Leadership Development
Education: Masters of Public Administration, Central Michigan University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Michigan State University
Term expires: 12-31-2019

Mr. Dale Feldpausch - Officer Member
Chief Financial Officer for the Capital Region Airport Authority
Serving the Board since: January 2016
Committee: Budget
Education: Bachelor's in Accounting, Michigan State University
Term expires: 12-31-2021

Mr. Randy Girard - Officer Member
Township Manager, Charter Township of Marquette
Serving the Board since: November 2007
Committee: Leadership Development
Education: Master of Arts, Public Administration, Northern Michigan University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Northern Michigan University
Term expires: 12-31-2020

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: 12-31-2020

Mr. Jason Sarata - Employee Member – Chair Pro-Tem
Firefighter/Paramedic for Delta Township
Serving the Board since: January 2016
Committee: Leadership Development
Education: Bachelors in Business Administration/Finance, Associates in Fire Science, LCC
Term expires: 12-31-2021

Ms. Tina Butler - Employee Member
Enforcement Supervisor for Cass County
Serving the Board since: January 2017
Committee: Investment (rotating member), Leadership Development
Education: Western Michigan University – BS in Criminal Justice/Sociology
Term expires: 12-31-2019

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: 12-31-2020

Mr. Michael Gilmore - Public Member
President & CCO, Red Cedar Investment Management
Serving the Board since: 2012
Committee: Investment, Leadership Development
Education: Master of Business Administration, Finance, Michigan State University
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Michigan State University
Term expires: 12-31-2019

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: 12-31-2021