Wednesday, June 10, 2026

PERS Executive Director Going North

 The Ohio School Employees Retirement System issued the following statement. 

At today’s special Board meeting, SERS’ Board announced the appointment of Ray Higgins as the System’s next executive director.

Higgins is expected to join the organization in early July. He was selected from a pool of highly qualified executives recruited in a national search conducted by Hudepohl & Associates.

With this appointment, Higgins becomes the eighth Executive Director since the System’s founding in 1937. “I am honored to be selected as the next executive director of SERS, and I am excited to join the team. SERS is respected nationally for its management, investment performance, and effective Board leadership,” Higgins said. “Together, we will work hard to maintain and enhance that reputation while ensuring the highest level of service to our members.”

Higgins has served as executive director of the $39 billion Public Employee’s Retirement System of Mississippi for the past eight years.

This public service followed almost 20 years working for the State of Georgia, including service as deputy director and chief operating officer for the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia and deputy commissioner for the Department of Early Care and Learning.

Higgins received a B.B.A. degree in finance from Georgia Southern University, and a M.S. degree in finance and investments from Georgia State University.

“On behalf of the SERS Board, I would like to thank Richard Stensrud for his outstanding leadership and service to the System over the past nine years. Thanks to Richard’s direction, the organization is  in a strong position across all key metrics,” said James Rossler, Chair of the SERS Board. Stensrud will retire in July following nine years as SERS’ executive director.

Kingfish note: Good job Legislature, good job.  You ran off someone who did a pretty good job of running PERS.  You ignored the ratings agencies, stripped the Board of Trustees of its power, and said you would fund PERS than proceeded not to do so.   Oh, and let's not forget you undid some of the PERS reforms this year.  

Higgins was severely underpaid at $185,000 per year.  Let's see who they recruit from Edward Jones to run PERS. 

The outgoing Director of OSERS made $345,000 per year.   The size of the portfolio is $26 billion.  PERS portfolio is $39 billion.  

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not to mention that as bad as Ohio is, still much more livable than Mississippi by a huge margin. Even Afroman moved to Ohio decades ago.

Anonymous said...

Will he be the last one in the room to turn off the alights?

Anonymous said...

can he let us know if theres any good real estate deals when he gets there?

Anonymous said...

Ohio has a smaller pension system than MS? Weird. They must have separate systems for teachers and county/muni employees.

Anonymous said...

~Half the asset size of PERS, 79% funded, 7% LT return assumption.

Looks like a lateral move for undoubtedly more pay but, most importantly, gets him and his the hell out of Mississippi. (Though the traffic in Columbus is truly horrendous.)

Anonymous said...

I mean, if Afroman moved there it must be paradise. Because I always base my decisions in life on celebrity moves. I’m just waiting now on who Taylor Swift tells me to vote for in the next presidential election. Or maybe, I can watch The View to see who I need to hate this week. BTW, what exactly makes MS unlivable?

Anonymous said...

Damn good question. Yeah they have multiple, but combined Ohio's public employee retirement system has $230 billion in assets, compared to Mississippi's $34 billion in assets

Anonymous said...

Most importantly - gets him out of the shit storm that's coming regarding PERS inevitable insolvency .

Anonymous said...

Afroman hasn’t been a celebrity for a long time. He is a cultural icon and a reluctant civil rights icon. He would’ve preferred to just live a quiet life.

Anonymous said...

Why all the hate toward MS?

Anonymous said...

It's foolish to be surprised given the dysfunctional nature of our legislature that is more focused on drinking, carousing, and getting reelected.

Anonymous said...

When the only goal is winning the next election, there is only room for short-term thinking.

But I guess more forward-looking than winning the next quarter, like our corporate leaders.

Anonymous said...

@10:55 AM

Have you ever actually left Mississippi to go anywhere besides TN, AL, or LA?

Literally anywhere isn’t he US is better. ANYWHERE!

Anonymous said...

Our legislature is such a joke.
Useless, amoral narcissists that do nothing to better the citizens, unless we luck up and get some scraps from a bill that directly benefits their own personal interests.

Anonymous said...

As usual state government runs off competent people until they get some dullard that tells them what they want to hear.

Anonymous said...

Couldn't agree more with 11:41 about Mississippi legislators. For the first three months of every year, you'd better lock up your whiskey and your daughters.

Anonymous said...

I am damn proud to be a Mississippian. I am so proud of our people. I love being the underdog. I love the fact that the rest of the USA thinks we are trash and they won’t move here. I HATE the fact that people live here and have good lives but still trash this place. We have all the luxury a human could possibly need in Central MS. Yes there are problems. Yes there are bad people here. But we are a low population state that is half poor and we still manage to do great things and churn out the kindest, most humane people that genuinely care about their neighbors and communities. We don’t have many tourist attractions or big entertainment centers, but it is a mighty slow, quiet, simple living here in Mississippi and it is a warm and comfortable life. I have been to all 50 states, and yes some are “better” than MS, but there is no place like this place. Forever glad to live here and grateful for all we have. God is good!

Anonymous said...

11:16, please state specifics to back your views on the state of MS. Not general comments - specific, verifiable facts.

Anonymous said...

10:32 PERS is not close to being insolvent. Unfunded liability is predicted to be the same 30 years from now as it is today. Quit drinking the KOOL AID.

Anonymous said...

11:16, actually, I have been to many states as well as a few countries. Over the course of my previous career I have seen and done a lot for God and country. I like being here for the time being as where I live you don’t see all the crazy shit that is happening in other parts of the country. If it is so bad here, I-20 and 49 will lead you out of the state if you stay on one of them long enough.

Anonymous said...

The only answer to the PERS debacle is investing any and all new monies into Bitcoin, ETH and some hedging with FartCoin. Crypto is the future and the future is grand.

Anonymous said...

You have a singular point of view....as many in leadership and the hundreds of thousands dependent on their pensions will attest - there's a LOT to be very concerned about. Old adage: "How do you go bankrupt?......A little bit over a long period of time then, BAM! You're broke."

PERS is a slow-motion trainwreck happening in visible, real-time....and many other states face the same challenge.

Anonymous said...

By working 8!years for PERS, he is vested in it though yes? He will also be a GA pensioner too.

Anonymous said...

Yep! I interviewed for a job at PERS. When I saw the pay, they talked about how great the benefits are. I said no 30 years ago. U can earn more outside this state. And there aren’t as many biases or hang ups that u have to deal with on a daily basis. This state has lots of changing to do. Hope the younger generation does better than the previous ones.

Anonymous said...

$185k is not nearly enough for the size portfolio. Many university professors earn more -- working on 9-month contracts with no practical experience outside academia. Good luck finding a competent replacement who is not linked to the legislature in some way.

Kingfish said...

Should pay at least $250,000.

Anonymous said...

Don't blame the entire legislature, the culprits are Daniel, Delbert and Delbert decimal point system


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.