Ohio fund could have new CIO next week

Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Columbus, could announce the hiring of a chief investment officer for its $14 billion fund next week, said Jim Samuel, director of corporate affairs and deputy administrator. James Conrad, chief executive officer, and William Sotko, chairman of the workers' compensation oversight committee, plan to interview three finalists on June 18. The bureau received 150 applications for the search, which was reopened in April when an earlier search failed to produce a candidate. CIO Robert G. Cowman left early this year to become director of investments at the $6.5 billion School Employees Retirement System of Ohio, Columbus.