Texas Employees Retirement System, Austin, is searching for an active domestic small-cap growth equity manager to run $100 million to $200 million. Interested firms should request a questionnaire by sending an e-mail to [email protected] Responses are due by 4 p.m. CST on Oct. 31. Further information was not available by press time. The $21 billion fund also issued an RFP for a global custodian, confirmed Mary Jane Wardlow, spokeswoman. The contract of incumbent JPMorgan Chase is expiring, and the firm can rebid. The RFP is available at www.ers.state.tx.us/GlobalCustodyServiceRFP.htm. Proposals are due Oct. 4; Callan Associates is assisting.
Pennsylvania State Employees' Retirement System, Harrisburg, issued an RFP for a firm to provide actuarial and consulting services to the $27 billion system, according to spokesman Robert Gentzel. The contract of current actuary Hay Group expires June 30, 2006. The firm will be invited to rebid. The RFP is available at www.dgsweb.state.pa.us/comod/bids/rfpoms051.pdf. Proposals are due Oct. 24.
State of Wisconsin Investment Board, Madison, issued an RFI for transition managers to place on a pre-approved list for future moves made by the $75 billion fund. Transitions, which may range in size from $100 million to $2.5 billion, could be for any of the public asset classes: domestic, international and emerging markets equities; and domestic and international fixed income, including high yield and TIPS, according to the RFI. This is the first time the board has looked at hiring firms for transition management services, said Vicki Hearing, public information officer. The RFI is available at www.swib.state.wi.us. Submissions are due Oct. 31.
Waltham (Mass.) Contributory Retirement System is searching for an active domestic high-yield bond manager to run about $8 million, said Joseph Juppe, executive director of the $140 million fund. Incumbent Columbia Management changed some aspects of the portfolio, Mr. Juppe said, and it no longer complies with some of the guidelines set by the Massachusetts Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission, which regulates local public pension funds in the state.. The board also initiated the search because of organization changes at Columbia, he said. Tom Gariepy, a Columbia spokesman, said the firm does not comment on matters related to client relationships. The RFP is available on consultant Wainwright Investment Counsel's website at www.winvcounsel.com, and proposals are due Nov. 1. Presentations will probably be made at the board's November meeting, tentatively scheduled for Nov. 17.
Washington State Investment Board, Olympia, within the next month will search for an active emerging markets equity manager to replace F&C Asset Management, said Liz Mendizabal, spokeswoman for the $62.9 billion system. F&C, which ran a $100 million portfolio, is being terminated for performance. Ms. Mendizabal had no further details. Calls to William Boardman, spokesman for F&C, were not returned by press time.
Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, Frankfort, may issue an RFP in the next six to 12 months for a manager to run about $150 million in timberland assets, said Gary Harbin, executive secretary. The board agreed last February to commit $150 million to timber, a first for the $13.5 billion pension fund. Funding will come from cash.
Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System, Jefferson City, is in the initial stages of studying emerging markets equities, said Bob Ashcroft, chairman of the investment committee. He said the $3.25 billion pension fund has never had a portfolio comprising solely emerging markets equities. Plan officials are also taking a look at international fixed income, he said, but noted it's far too early to discuss any details.
State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, Columbus, plans to add $250 million to $500 million to its alternative investment portfolio; it will also consider ways to move externally managed money from its domestic equity portfolio in-house, according to its 2006 investment plan. Laura Ecklar, a spokeswoman for the $54.6 billion fund, would not provide comments by press time.
Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System will search for transition managers to establish a pre-approved list of providers, said Wayne Ige, investment officer at the $8.9 billion system. Further details have not been determined.
Fairfax County Educational Employees' Supplemental Retirement System, Springfield, Va., will consider increasing its international equity exposure. The $1.7 billion system has 12% of assets allocated to international stocks, said Alan Belstock, executive director. An increase in international stocks might be offset by a reduction in domestic equities, he said.
