DRS Advisory Committee
Mission
The committee’s mission is to facilitate the sharing of information between DRS and the associations and organizations representing active and retired members of the public pension plans administered by DRS.
Objectives
The objectives of the DRS Retirement Advisory Committee are to:
- Identify and communicate client service issues to the Director
- Communicate association and organization legislative initiatives to the Director
- Share information provided by the Director with constituents
- Develop and recommend ways to improve communication between DRS and active and retired members
History
The Director of the Department of Retirement Systems established the DRS Retirement Advisory Committee as an administrative committee in July 1996 after the State Retirement Advisory Committee was eliminated by statute.
Members
Nominated by Washington state member or retiree organizations, committee members are appointed by the DRS Director and serve for a minimum three-year term.
View Members
DRS Advisory Committee – Current Board Members
Representing PERS Active Members
Vacant
Representing PERS Retirees
Bev Hermanson, Retired Public Employees Council of Washington
Representing TRS Active Members
Vacant
Representing TRS Retirees
Kim Mead, Washington Education Association
Darrel Heisler, Washington School Personnel Association
Representing SERS Active Members
Jacque Meddles (Committee Chair), Public School Employees of Washington
Representing SERS Retirees
Cheri Ingersoll, Washington State School Retirees’ Association
Representing PSERS Active Members
William Copland, Washington Federation of State Employees
Representing LEOFF Active Members
Marshall Joe Handley, WA Association of Sheriff and Police Chiefs
Representing LEOFF Retirees
Roy Orlando, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Retirees Association
Representing Washington State Patrol Active Members
Captain Jason Ashley, Washington State Patrol
Representing Washington State Patrol Retirees
Rick Jensen, Washington State Patrol
Representing Judicial Active Members
Judge Nicole Phelps, Superior Court Judges Association
Representing DCP Participants
David Nowotny, Public School Employees of Washington, Deferred Compensation Program participant
Representing Experience in Defined Contribution Plan Administration
Deirdre Walker, Weyerhaeuser
Meetings
The DRS Advisory Committee held a virtual meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, at 9:30 a.m.
Meeting materials:
- Agenda
- Washington State Investment Board Overview
- Investment Performance
- Actuarial Update for the State Retirement Plans
- DRS Projects Update
- DRS Pro-Equity Anti-Racism Plan Update
- Recorded session of Nov. 10, 2022 meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/OeJl6QsmTCDeIRAVmnfdYUTyY98QhIzBAM3STGkw2NjQLRV0bw2r51MVszUmNvBR.NvTEMmLNmpWvlhbh
The DRS Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet next on April 27, 2023, and November 30, 2023.
For information about the DRS Advisory Committee, call 360-664-7312 or write to DRS, Attention: Advisory Committee, PO Box 48380, Olympia, WA 98504-8380.