Meet the Board : Louisiana State Employees' Retirement System (LASERS)

Front row (l-r): Lori Pierce, Beverly Hodges, Lorry Trotter, Virginia Burton, and Shannon Templet

Back row (l-r): Kathy Singleton, Judge William Kleinpeter (Board Chair), Thomas Bickham, and Janice Lansing (Vice Chair)

Individual photos (l-r): Commissioner Jay Dardenne, State Treasurer John Kennedy, Senator Barrow Peacock, and Representative Kevin Pearson

Judge William Kleinpeter, Board Chair

Active Member

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What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?
"The most important aspect of the LASERS mission is to provide a sound retirement plan for our members. If there is prudent management and exceptional service, the plan will be sound."

Member of LASERS since 1991
Judge, City Court of Port Allen since 1991
LASERS Legislative Committee Chair 2013-2016
Attorney in private civil practice since 1991 with emphasis on probate, real estate, collections, insurance defense, personal injury, and family law
Served as Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana
Juris Doctorate and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Louisiana State University
Term Expires 12/31/2019
Contact Information

Janice Lansing, Vice Chair Active Member
Return to Top		What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission? "I believe all aspects of the mission are critically important." Member of LASERS for 20 years Chief Financial Officer - Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Current LASERS Board of Trustees Vice Chair Past LASERS Audit and Investment Committee Chair Masters of Public Administration from Louisiana State University and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Southeastern Louisiana University Term Expires 12/31/2017 Contact Information

Thomas Bickham Active Member
Return to Top		What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission? "To provide sound fiscal management of the system’s assets to ensure the continued provision of retirement benefits." Member of LASERS for 23 years Current Undersecretary for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections Current LASERS Audit Committee Chair LASERS Board of Trustees Chair 2015 LASERS Management Committee Chair 2014 LASERS Investment Committee Chair 2013 Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Mississippi State University Term Expires 12/31/2019 Contact Information

Virginia Burton
Retired Member

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What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?
"Providing a sound retirement plan that will meet the security and financial needs of our members."

CPA, Certified Employee Benefit Specialist and Certified Fraud Examiner (retired)
Member of LASERS since 1971
Over 30 years of management experience in state service retiring from La. Department of Revenue in 2007
LASERS Board of Trustees as an active member for 16 years serving as Chair of Board, Investment, Management, and Audit committees.
Participant member of La. Deferred Compensation Commission since 2006
Term Expires 12/31/2019
Contact Information

Beverly Hodges Active Member
Return to Top		What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission? "Protect and sustain the growth of plan assets to provide benefits to current and future retirees." Member of LASERS for over 17 years Undersecretary, Department of Natural Resources LASERS Board of Trustees Chair 2013 LASERS Audit Committee Chair 2010, 2011 LASERS Management Committee Chair 2011 LASERS Investment Committee Chair 2012 34 years of government service Extensive experience in finance, human resources and benefit administration, and investment management Certified Public Accountant and Certified Government Finance Officer Masters of Public Administration from Louisiana State University and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Nicholls State University Term Expires 12/31/2017 Contact Information

Lori Pierce Active Member
Return to Top		What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission? "To focus on providing and maintaining member benefits." Member of LASERS for 21 years State Treasury Investment Officer, Department of the Treasury Louisiana Civil Service Employee Past LASERS Management Committee Chair 31 years of active employment in the field of finance, with an emphasis on trading and investing Masters of Business Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University and Bachelor of Science in Finance from Louisiana State University Term Expires 12/31/2017 Contact Information

Kathy Singleton Retired Member
Return to Top		What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission? "To provide very stable incomes for retirees and to provide services that allow the retirees to access all necessary information regarding their investments." Member of LASERS for 34 years Retired from the Department of Social Services, 2004 Current LASERS Investment Committee Chair Past LASERS Board of Trustees Vice Chair Past LASERS Board of Trustees Chair, Two Terms Past LASERS Management, Audit, and Legislative Committee Chair Board Member of RSEA, an association for active and retired state employees Past President and Secretary of the North Shore Area RSEA Chapter Board Member of the Louisiana Trustee Educational Council Bachelor of Science in Education Term Expires 12/31/2017 Contact Information

Shannon Templet Active Member
Return to Top		What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission? "To maintain stable and sound financial investment practices in order to provide current and future benefits to members." Member of LASERS for 26 years Current Director of Human Resources of the House of Representatives Former State Civil Service Director Current LASERS Management Committee Chair LASERS Board of Trustees Chair, 2014 Extensive knowledge and experience gained as Human Resources Director for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections – Corrections Services Member of LASERS Advisory Board for eight years Past President of National Association of State Personnel Executives Member of Women in Management Chairman of Department of Corrections Credit Union Credit Committee for 10 years Bachelor of Science in Finance from Louisiana State University Term Expires 12/31/2019 Contact Information

Lorry Trotter
Retired Member

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What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?
"To sustain LASERS system through perpetuity by sound investment practices, keep members apprised of all information pertinent to their welfare and the welfare of the system, and provide a sustainable retirement for all LASERS members."

Member of LASERS for 42 years
Retired from Louisiana State University
Executive Director of RSEA 2015
Office Consultant to RSEA 2014
1st Vice President RSEA 2013
RSEA Baton Rouge Chapter President 2009-2013
Active Member, LASERS Board of Trustees 1990-1994, 2006-2010
LASERS Board of Trustees Chair 2009
LASERS Legislative Committee Chair 1992
Graduate of Istrouma High School and Louisiana State University
Term Expires 12/31/2019
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Commissioner Jay Dardenne Ex Officio Member
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State Treasurer John Kennedy Ex Officio Member
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Senator Barrow Peacock Ex Officio Member
Return to Top		Senate Retirement Committee Chair Personal information Contact Information

Representative Kevin Pearson Ex Officio Member
Return to Top		Chair House Retirement Committee Personal information Contact Information

Board Resolution

At its January 27, 2012 meeting, the LASERS Board of Trustees renewed and expanded a resolution directing LASERS' Executive staff to intensify its effort addressing critical issues facing the System and its members.

View complete Resolution