Neil Toth has taken a leave of absence as chief investment officer of the $60 billion Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, Columbus, to undergo cancer treatment, said Michelle Kowalik, plan spokeswoman. Details on his illness were not available.
Jennifer Hom, the plan's assistant investment officer for global bonds, has been named acting CIO, Ms. Kowalik said.
Separately, the system is seeking an assistant investment officer, a new position overseeing the hiring and monitoring of external money managers, Ms. Kowalik said. The plan is already interviewing applicants and expects to have the position filled by the middle of February. The fund also is seeking a risk specialist to assist in risk budgeting, risk management and asset allocation studies, also a new position. She said there is no timeframe for filling that position. Hudepohl & Associates is assisting in the searches.
Peter Landin recently left his position as chief executive officer of U.S. institutional business for Barclays Global Investors, San Francisco, said Lance Berg, BGI spokesman. Blake Grossman, global co-CEO of BGI, assumed Mr. Landin's responsibilities until a replacement is named. BGI will search internally and externally for candidates, but a timeframe for filling the position has not been determined, Mr. Berg said. Further details were not available.
Craig E. Hartzer resigned as executive director of the $11.3 billion Indiana Public Employees' Retirement Fund, Indianapolis. Bruce F. Kimery, deputy executive director/chief benefits officer, was named interim executive director. Information about a search for a permanent replacement was unavailable by press time.
Stephen Morrell was named treasurer and vice president of finance at US Airways Group Inc., Arlington, Va. He will be responsible for management of approximately $1.7 billion in pension assets. He replaces Eilif Serck-Hanssen, who quit. Mr. Morrell was vice president of financial planning and analysis at US Air; no replacement for him was named.
Alain Hung was named acting CIO-fixed income at the $67.9 billion the State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Madison. Mr. Hung, director of global fixed income for SWIB, replaces Jon Traver, who retired Dec. 31. Mr. Traver oversaw $18.6 billion in fixed income. Also, Sally Lee, portfolio manager of a $3.6 billion government credit portfolio, plans to retire Jan. 31.
Jeffrey P. Lagarce was named president and chief marketing officer at OFI Institutional Asset Management, a subsidiary of OppenheimerFunds, said Bruce Dunbar, spokesman. Mr. Lagarce replaced Chuck McKenzie as president; Mr. McKenzie remains chairman and chief executive officer. The chief marketing officer position is new. Mr. Lagarce's hiring allowed Mr. McKenzie to "take on broader responsibilities," said Mr. Dunbar. Mr. Lagarce had been executive vice president at Fidelity Investments Tax-Exempt Services Co., said Jenny Engle, Fidelity spokeswoman. The firm has not filled his position; she could not provide further details on the vacant post.
Ann Yerger was named executive director of the Council of Institutional Investors. She had been interim executive director since Sarah Ball Teslik resigned in September to become chief executive officer of the Certified Financial Planners Board of Standards. Ms. Yerger joined CII in 1996 as director of research services and was named deputy director in 2002. Russell Reynolds Associates assisted.
Frederick W. "Bill" Scholz was named to the new position of president of Gabelli & Partners, the alternative investment division of Gabelli Asset Management Inc. Mr. Scholz was managing director of Gabelli Asset Management Co., the institutional client marketing division of the company. He has been with Gabelli since 1985, said Douglas Jamieson, president and chief operating officer of Gabelli Asset. Information about Mr. Scholz's replacement in the marketing unit was not immediately available.
Mark Connolly, European head of institutional distribution at Deutsche Asset Management, will leave the post at the end of January after only three months in the job. Mr. Connolly worked for Paul Manduca, DeAM's European chief executive officer, who will leave the firm at the end of March once a strategic review of the business is completed. Mr. Connolly in an interview said he was leaving by mutual agreement with the company. He said his job was being eliminated after parent Deutsche Bank in December decided to restructure the firm along global business lines. Axel Schwarzer, European head of institutional and retail distribution, will assume Mr. Connolly's responsibilities until the global restructuring is completed, said Esther Nass, DeAM spokeswoman.
Patrick Von Bargen, managing executive for policy and staff at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, will leave the agency at the end of February. Mr. Von Bargen will become chief executive of the Center for Venture Education, a program intended to educate and develop leaders in venture capital and high-growth startups. SEC spokesman John Heine said no successor has been chosen.
