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.

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. Larry Opelt - Chairperson

Retired from City of Adrian in 2003 as Finance Director

Serving the Board since: 2003

Committee: Investment, Budget

Education: BA, Adrian College

Term expires: 12-31-2012

Mr. John Ogden, CPA - Officer Member

Finance Director, City of Port Huron

Serving the Board since: 2003

Committee: Budget

Education: BA, Walsh College

Certified Public Accountant

Term expires: 12-31-2012

Mr. Michael Brown - Officer Member

County Administrator, Barry County

Serving the Board since: November 2007

Committee: Budget

Education: Masters of Public Administration, Central Michigan University

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Michigan State University

Term expires: 12-31-2010

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: 12-31-2011

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: 12-31-2010

Ms. Beverly Crumley - Employee Member

Administrative Assistant to the City Manager, City of Sault Ste. Marie

Serving the Board since: October 2007

Term expires: 12-31-2011

Ms. Lori Newberg - Employee Member

Employee Services Coordinator, Ingham County, Lansing

Serving the Board since: January 2009

Term expires: 12-31-2012

Mr. Bruce Johnson - Public Member

Managing Principal, CapTrust, Holland

Serving the Board since: 1997

Committee: Investment

Education:BA, University of Kansas

CIMA ^®

Term expires: 12-31-2010

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: 12-31-2012