Jay Fewel, former senior investment officer at the Oregon State Treasury who was responsible for $76.2 billion Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund's private equity portfolio, has died.
Mr. Fewel, 63, retired in 2014 after 24 years at the helm of what was then a $21.3 billion private equity portfolio.
"Jay Fewel was in many ways an Oregon pioneer. His keen vision and business sense helped to put the Oregon State Treasury on the map as an early and leading public fund investor in both private and public equity markets," said Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read in a written statement. "That's a position Oregon still enjoys, and Jay's legacy will continue to serve Oregonians well."
Mr. Read is also a member of the Oregon investment Council, which runs the Tigard-based pension fund.
"Jay was a true industry pioneer whose early willingness to back the industry pioneers played a large part in the growth and development of the private equity industry," said Howard Newman, chairman and CEO of Pine Brook Partners, in a separate statement. Oregon's pension fund is an investor in Pine Brook funds. "He had the foresight to support the industry pioneers before it was fashionable, and without his vision, the industry as we know it today would probably not exist."
Mr. Fewel died Oct. 13. A memorial service will be held on Nov. 16 at 2 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Ore.
He is survived by his wife, Kerrie, his stepchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions can be made to The Freshwater Trust or Lines for Life.
