After a few negative headlines, including a potential FBI inquiry and some trepidation about some serious losses, the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System has created a new position to oversee the $3.1 billion portfolio that funds the retirement income of our city’s first responders.
The pension system has brought in Texas Tech University System assistant chancellor James A. Perry as the Chief Investment Officer. Perry has more than 20 years of investment management experience, according to the pension board. He’s overseen public assets in California and in Texas.
Perry is scheduled to start Sept. 1. He’ll report to the pension system’s executive director, Kelly Gottschalk.
“We are pleased James will be joining the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System,” Gottschalk said in a press release. “He has impressive credentials and the relevant experience to lead our portfolio. We believe he is the right person to lead our investments strategy moving forward and will help us achieve our long-term goals.”
This isn’t Perry’s first go-round with a pension system, as he did a turn with the San Bernardino County Employee’s Retirement Association as a senior investment officer. In that position he helped manage $8 billion in assets serving more than 28,500 members. Perry graduated from University of Houston with a B.S. in Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences. He received his MBA from National University. Perry, a chartered financial analyst and alternative investment analyst, served for more than 8 years as an officer and aviator in the United States Navy.
“I am honored to join DPFP and I am committed to working with Kelly and her leadership team and the Board of Trustees to lead the change of direction needed to grow and protect the members’ retirement benefits,” Perry said in the release.
What are your thoughts on this new hire?
