INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: May 26, 2026
Subject: Retirement Board Interviews
Submitted For: Monica Nino
Department: County Administrator
Referral No: 26/3
Referral Name: Advisory Body Recruitments
Presenter: Diana Oyler
Contact: Diana.Oyler@cao.cccounty.us
Referral History:
Board Resolution No. 2026/132, stipulates that applicants for At Large/Non Agency-Specific seats on specified bodies are to be interviewed by a Board subcommittee. The Resolutions further permit a Board Committee to select a screening committee to assist in interviewing applicants for appointment. Upon review of the eligible seats, the IOC made a determination that it would conduct interviews for At Large seats on the following bodies: Retirement Board, Fire Advisory Commission, Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, Treasury Oversight Committee, Airport Land Use Commission, and the Fish & Wildlife Committee; and that screening and nomination fill At Large seats on all other eligible bodies would be delegated each body or a subcommittee thereof.
Referral Update:
The Contra Costa County Employees' Retirement Association (CCCERA) is administered by the Board of Retirement, an independent public entity responsible for general management of the association. With assistance from qualified professionals in the pension industry, the Board adopts regulations, policies and procedures that are relevant to CCCERA, for the purpose of benefiting the members. CCCERA is also governed by the California Constitution and the regulations, procedures and policies adopted by CCCERA’s Board. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors may also adopt resolutions which affect member benefits, as permitted by the County Employees’ Retirement Law of 1937.
The current term for three Board of Supervisors Appointee seats will expire on June 30, 2026. Staff initiated a recruitment by issuing a press release on April 13, 2026, through May 8, 2026 for Board of Supervisors Appointee #5, Board of Supervisors Appointee #9, Board of Supervisors Appointee Alternate to #4, 5, 6, and 9.
To be competitive to serve on the Contra Costa County Employees’ Retirement Association Board of Trustees, applicants should possess a sound business background, experience in pension fund investment or administration, or in equity investments or banking. To be considered, candidates must be County residents, must not be Retirement System members or retirees, and may not market any investment, consulting, or related service to the Contra Costa County Retirement Board or any other 1937 Act Retirement Board.
The recruitment garnered five applicants, all of whom were invited to interview:
• Stephen Biggs (Clayton)
• Mario DiPrisco (Lafayette)
• Larry Fernandes (Walnut Creek)
• Jerry Holcombe (incumbent, Walnut Creek)
• Ewar Menon (Walnut Creek)
Since serving on the Retirement Board involves a significant time commitment, each eligible applicant was provided with a description of Board duties and estimated time requirements, which is attached hereto for reference, and invited to interview with the IOC today. Applications for each eligible applicant are attached.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
INTERVIEW candidates for Board of Supervisors Appointee #5, #9, and Alternate seats on the Retirement Board for terms beginning on July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2029, and DETERMINE recommendations for the Board of Supervisors consideration.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
None to County. Retirement Board Trustees receive a stipend of $100 per meeting, plus mileage reimbursement, paid by CCCERA.