2010 BOR Bios


	Les Robbins — Chair
	Mr. Robbins´s lengthy career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff´s Department has been very impressive. He also has contributed much of his life to active participation within a variety of public offices. His contributions have helped LACERA since 1998 when he first served on the Board of Retirement. Mr. Robbins has also served on the Board of Investments. Here are some of his notable accomplishments: Deputy Sheriff, promoted to Sergeant Elected to the Board of Directors of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) President of ALADS for seven terms Past Councilman for the Fifth District of the Long Beach City Council 1988–1998 Chair of Council's Traffic and Infrastructure Committee Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee Past Chair of LACERA's Board of Retirement Member of the Economic Development and Finance Committee Member of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Member of the Southern California Alliance of Law Enforcement Member of the California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations Military Policeman for the U.S. Army with a one-year tour in Vietnam AA Degree from Long Beach City College BA Degree from California State University, Long Beach

	Simon S. Russin — Vice Chair
	Mr. Russin's contributions are many. He has devoted years of his life to help LACERA become the respected institution it is today, while also protecting the rights and benefits of its members. During his long and impactful tenure Mr. Russin has served as Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair. He continues to serve in various capacities. Mr. Russin has been on the Board of Retirement since 1983 and first sat on the Board of Investments in 1985, where he has been reelected several times. His experience, knowledge and service history make him a vital asset to both Boards. Here are some of his notable accomplishments: Helped negotiate settlement of AB 399 to provide $1 billion for LA County Workers and Retirees Helped negotiate adoption of the Pension Obligation Bonds that fully funded system and created additional surpluses for the employee benefits and vested medical plans for retirees Former Secretary, Board of Investments and Board of Retirement Past Chair and Vice Chair, Board of Retirement Former Chair, Operations Oversight Committee for LACERA Board of Retirement Current Chief Environmental Health Specialist, Los Angeles County Member, SEIU Local 721 Board of Directors, 15 years Member, Chicano Employees Association Associate member, Retired Employees of Los Angeles County (RELAC) Advanced Workshop on Money Management, the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Stanford University Fiduciary Law for Trustees Graduate, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA Graduate work, New York's Long Island University, Marine Science Graduate work, MA Degree in Public Administration, California State University, Los Angeles

	Yves Chery — Secretary
	Mr. Chery has served the Los Angeles County community as a Deputy Probation Officer. His experience includes helping at-risk youths, along with providing advocacy for working families. A strong supporter of LACERA's Outreach programs, he was instrumental in equipping Outreach specialists at County worksite counseling seminars with LACERA's Retirement Calculator. Mr. Chery is a valued asset, serving as the Chair of the Operations Oversight Committee, Vice Chair of the Disability Committee, and Secretary of the Board of Retirement. Here are some of his notable accomplishments: Deputy Probation Officer II, currently assigned to Camp Vernon Kilpatrick First Vice President, L.A. County Probation Officers Union, AFSCME Local 685 Delegate, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor Member, AFSCME State and National Public Pension Program Member, SEIU Local 721 Capital Stewardship Program Member, State Association of County Retirement Systems (SACRS), By-Laws Committee, Nomination Committee, and Legislative Committee Member, Trustees Committee, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Associate Member, Retired Employees of Los Angeles County (RELAC) Member, Mexican American Correction Association (MACA) Member, Asian Pacific Probation Association Graduate of the CALAPRS Principles of Pension Management Program Graduate of the IFEBP Master Trustees Program Graduate of Stanford University's Fiduciary College for Trustees Graduate of the Harvard Law School/NCPERS Advanced Trustee Studies BA, California State University, Northridge MFA, California Institute of the Arts Former Treasurer, Lake Balboa/West Van Nuys Neighborhood Council Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (11-19-09)

	Mark Saladino
	Mr. Saladino is an ex-officio trustee of LACERA's Board of Retirement and Board of Investments, as an extension of his role as the Treasurer and Tax Collector of Los Angeles County. He has a legal background coupled with extensive experience within finance and investments, and treasury related issues. His contributions have helped LACERA since 1998 when he first started serving on the Board of Retirement and the Board of Investments. Here are some of his notable accomplishments: Principal Deputy County Counsel, specializing in the areas of finance and investments Successful private practice at Hawkins, Delafield & Wood in New York City and at Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue in Los Angeles Public speaker on topics related to public finance and investments for the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors, the University of Southern California, the University of California, Los Angeles, the National Association of Bond Lawyers, the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission, and the California State Association of Counties Drafted California legislation regulating certain sales of local government securities Testified on securities issues to the California Legislature and the United States Congress BS Degree (with high honors) from the University of Illinois JD Degree from New York University Admitted to practice law in New York, California and the District of Columbia

	Edward L. Blecksmith
	Mr. Blecksmith's career includes more than 30 years of business management experience with various firms as well as outstanding service with the Marine Corps and as a White House staff member. He also played college football at USC, then played pro football for the L.A. Rams. His wide range of experience is an asset to the Board of Retirement. Here are some of his notable accomplishments: Partner - Larsen, Whitney, Blecksmith, and Zilliacus Inc. Managing Partner - Korn/Ferry International Inc. Managing Director - Russell Reynolds Associates Inc. Served two years as White House Staff Assistant to the Director of Communications for Executive Branch, two years at the Commerce Department, and one year as Director of Communications for the President's Commission on Olympic Sports Marine Corps - Commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant and served as Platoon Commander with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment in Vietnam Aide to Director of Command and Staff College in the Marine Corps Received two Purple Hearts MBA Degree from USC BS Degree from USC Graduate Assistant Football Coach while attending USC Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1964 Mr. Blecksmith was married to his late wife Pam for 32 years. They have three children: Christina, Alex, and James Patrick, and a granddaughter, Molly Kate. (11-17-08)

	William de la Garza
	Mr. de la Garza had an accomplished 35-year career with the Department of Parks and Recreation. He retired in 1991. His long tenure was devoted to serving the leisure and recreational needs of the citizens of Los Angeles and its neighboring counties. He was elected to the Board of Retirement in 2003 and is recognized for his continued service as a retiree advocate. His background in serving people and the community along with his management and administrative skills have been very valuable to the Board. We are glad to have him here at LACERA. Here are some of his notable accomplishments: Retired from his position of Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation in 1991; during his career with the Department of Parks and Recreation, he quickly came up through the ranks and served as a Park Director, Sports Specialist, Director of Sports and Aquatics, Superintendent of Regional Recreation Services and Regional Operations Manager. Former Chair, Board of Retirement Guest Lecturer, Sports and Recreation Administration: Cal State Los Angeles and Dominguez Hills, Cal Poly Pomona, USC, El Camino, and Golden West Colleges Instrumental in the development and passage of the Los Angeles County Scuba Diving Ordinance Authored three recognized publications on Sports Officiating Member of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games that was responsible for bringing the 1984 Olympics to Los Angeles Served as President and Director of the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation Worked closely with sports greats Jesse Owens and Pele in bringing National Youth Sports Programs to Los Angeles County Served as Chairman and Board Member of Southland Credit Union for over 25 years Served as President of the California Retired County Employees Association (CRCEA) Served as President and Board Member of the Retired Employees of Los Angeles County (RELAC) Honorary member, Latino Peace Officers Association Past member, Los Angeles County Interagency Gang Task Force Attended El Camino College and the University of Southern California Happily married to his wife Rachel for 46 years and has one son named John Hobbies include participation in civic organizations, golf and USC Football (11-13-08)

	J.P. Harris
	Mr. Harris has made many outstanding contributions to the community of Los Angeles County during his 33 years of service with the Sheriff's Department. Currently he is the Aide to the Chief in the Office of Homeland Security. We welcome him to the Board of Retirement and look forward to working with him in his new role as the Alternate Safety Member. Here are some of his notable accomplishments: Elected Member of the Board of Directors and former President of Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) Elected Trustee and former President of the Sheriffs’ Relief Association Lifetime Member of the California Peace Officers’ Association Member of the Professional Peace Officers’ Association Member of the Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County Graduate of the 20th Session of the Supervisory Leadership Institute Graduate of the 215th Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy Graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police Certified as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Associate and Workers’ Compensation Claims Professional with the Insurance Education Association Graduate of Sheriff’s Academy Class 170 BS Degree from California State University, Los Angeles AA Degree from Pasadena City College Happily married to Diane, a detective with the Sheriff’s Department Member of the Pasadena First United Methodist Church Completed seven marathons, even more half marathons, and countless 10k’s (3-17-08)

	Ed Morris
	Mr. Morris is a native Californian. His Los Angeles County career spanned over 38 years. He currently holds the Alternate Retired Member position on the Board of Retirement. His previous experience in retirement benefits administration is a real asset to the Board. Here are some of his notable accomplishments: Worked in the Offices of the County Auditor and County Treasurer Manager, Retirement Benefits Division (LACERA) Board Member and Past Chairman of the Fiscal Credit Union Member of the Board of Directors, RELAC Member of the Glendale Elks Lodge for 48 years Attended Glendale College and UCLA Mr. Morris has been married for 48 years, and has three children and seven grandchildren Hobbies include traveling by motorhome and sports (1-21-05)

	William R. Pryor
	Mr. Pryor has been a dutiful servant for the community as a firefighter and paramedic, and has offered his invaluable insight and experience as a Safety Member by serving on both LACERA Boards. Elected by the Safety Members, Mr. Pryor has served on both the Board of Retirement and the Board of Investments. He has also served as Chair for both the Board of Investments and the Disability Procedures and Services Committee. Here are some of his notable accomplishments: Active duty Firefighter for Los Angeles County, stationed in Huntington Park Director, Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014 Has stood for his fellow firefighters as a union rep for the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) for 19 years Has testified before State and Federal committees on pension system stability, in defense of defined benefit pension plans Executive Board Member and active trustee of the National Conference of Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) Member of the Council of Institution Investors (CII) Member of the International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) Member of the Los Angeles County Plan Administrative Committee Sits on the Centinela Hospital Medical Center Board of Directors (Inglewood, CA) Plays hockey on an all-firemen's team, which travels to the east coast and Canada for tournaments Spends off-duty time with his wife Michelle and their two sons Jack and Henry (1-21-08)

2010 BOARD OF RETIREMENT