Administrative Staff

A total of 18 employees make up the staff of the Fort Worth Employees’ Retirement Fund. Staff provides day-to-day administration, as well as record keeping and investment oversight of the Fund’s financial assets. The staff consists of an Executive Director/CIO, two Deputy Directors, a General Counsel, two investment staff, two accounting staff, a business systems administrator, three benefits specialists, a communications specialist and four administrative staff.

With more than 3,500 retirees and 6,200 active members to serve, Fund administrators found it most feasible to divide the active membership and retirees by alphabet in order to give them a personal Member Services Specialist. This allows the two dedicated Member Services Specialists to provide quality customer service to all members. Listed below are the administrative staff, their roles and responsibilities.

Ruth Ryerson, Executive Director/CIO –  Email

Ruth is responsible for management and oversight of the Fund's investment portfolio, benefit programs, professional advisors, and legal counsel. She can be reached at 817-632-8900.

Doreen McGookey, General Counsel –  Email

Doreen has overall responsibility for the provision of internal legal services to the Retirement Fund, and performs or coordinates all professional legal work in support of the Retirement Fund's Board of Trustees, Executive Director/CIO and staff. The General Counsel also assists in the development and implementation of the Retirement Fund’s legislative policies and programs, including making recommendations regarding necessary administrative rules changes, legislation or legislative solutions to specific problems or issues, and the drafting of proposed rules changes or legislation.

Annette Connor, Executive/Legal Assistant –  Email

Annette is responsible for assisting the Executive Director and General Counsel for the Fund and working with the Board of Trustees. She can be reached at 817-632-8908.

Wanda Valentine, Deputy Director – Benefits & Administration –  Email

Wanda is responsible for management and supervision of disbursements and benefit administration and serves as the disability coordinator. She can be reached at 817-632-8905.

Jennifer Sierra, Member Services Specialist –  Email

Jennifer is a Member Services Specialist who counsels and administers retirement and DROP benefits to active members and retirees with last names beginning with A-G. Additionally, she is responsible for processing death claims. She can be reached at 817-632-8902.

Melissa McDougall, Member Services Specialist –  Email

Melissa is a Member Services Specialist who counsels and administers retirement and DROP benefits to active members and retirees with last names beginning with H-P. Additionally, she is responsible for maintaining /tracking vested members who have separated from service. She can be reached at 817-632-8903.

Eunice Harris, Member Services Specialist –  Email

Eunice is a Member Services Specialist who counsels and administers retirement and DROP benefits to active members and retirees with last names beginning with Q-Z. Additionally, she is responsible for processing disability claims. She can be reached at 817-632-8907.

Mary Kay Glass, Communications/Publications Specialist –  Email

Mary Kay is responsible for implementing the Fund’s communication program and developing communication tools that promote consistency and positive messaging across the organization. Additionally, she is responsible for working with the media to facilitate accurate communication of Fund activities. She can be reached at 817-632-8906.

Carla Perez, Member Services Assistant –  Email

Carla is responsible for assisting member services specialists, data entry of all retiree forms, preparation of member contribution letters and processing  death benefit claims as well as refund contributions for former employees. She can be reached at 817-632-8901.

Wynona Gulley, Administrative Assistant (P/T) –  Email

Tennie Cole, Administrative Assistant (P/T) –  Email

The Administrative Assistant is the initial point of contact for most active members and retirees. This position is responsible for directing questions and calls to the appropriate staff members and also assists staff with special projects. The Administrative Assistant on duty can be reached at 817-632-8900.

Robert Hulme, Deputy Director – Investments and Operations –  Email

Robert oversees the investment team and is responsible for preparation of financial statements and reporting and coordination of internal and external audits. He can be reached at 817-632-8918.

Bryan Hedrick, CFA CAIA, Investment Officer –  Email

Bryan is responsible for working with the Deputy Director of Investments and Operations on measuring investment performance and compliance. Bryan works with the Fund's managers, consultants and custody bank to provide information to staff and the Board. He can be reached at 817-632-8916.

Jacob Bowland, Investment Analyst –  Email

Jacob is responsible for working with the Deputy Director of Investments and Operations on measuring investment performance and compliance. Jacob works with the Fund’s managers, consultants and custody bank to provide information to staff and the Board. He can be reached at 817-632-8915.

Karen Epp, CPA, Senior Accountant –  Email

Karen's primary role is to prepare the monthly and annual financial statements. She also reviews and analyzes documents and audits administrative and financial operations of the Fund. In addition, Karen performs professional accounting duties, such as general ledger reconciliation and management reporting. She can be reached at 817-632-8912.

Christian Wetshi-Lunula, Accountant –  Email

Christian performs professional accounting duties, including general ledger and custodian bank reconciliations, financial reporting, and a variety of other accounting functions. He can be reached at 817-632-8911.

Trisha Thomason, Business Systems Administrator –  Email

Trisha is responsible for conducting information technology business process analyses, needs assessments and system testing and implementation. Trisha will also assist in the implementation and maintenance of the Pension Administration System, as well as the accounting system. She can be reached at 817-632-8913.

Rebecca Earley, Operations Assistant –  Email

Rebecca is responsible for working with the Investments and Operations team to facilitate meetings with potential and current money managers, maintain business contacts and investment files, and coordinate technology needs and issues. She can be reached at 817-632-8914.

Not sure who to contact? Send your question(s) to ask@fwretirement.org