Investment Chief Lorrie Tingle Leaves Mississippi Pension

The chief investment officer of Mississippi’s state employee pension fund has retired after more than 20 years, the organization confirmed Monday. 

Lorrie Tingle departed at the end of June. 

Deputy CIO Andrew Hoeniges has taken over as interim chief, executive director Ray Higgins said in a statement to Institutional Investor. “We look forward to working with him in this capacity. Together with our investment consultants, we’ll continue to monitor/manage our portfolio with a focus on continuity during the transition.” 

Asked about a permanent replacement for Tingle, Higgins said, “Currently our focus is on continuity and transition. Long-term staffing needs will be assessed at a later time.”

Tingle spent almost three decades in public service, the majority of them as CIO of the state pension fund, according to an email she sent fellow public fund leaders last Friday. 

“As a long time CIO I know it may seem like every day is a challenge, but never forget the tens of thousands of members who are depending on you to fight the good fight for them,” she wrote. 

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The Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi managed a portfolio worth $28.3 billion as of June 30, 2018, according to its most recent annual report. The main PERS system owes $16.6 billion more in pension liabilities than it has in assets, giving it a 62.5 percent funded ratio.

Tingle said in her email that she has not set post-retirement plans yet. “We wish her the best in the future,” Higgins said.