The Oregon State Treasury is enhancing its ranks with the addition of Tad Fergusson, who assumes the position of Director of Private Market Investments later this month. With his long-standing career in institutional investing and portfolio management, Fergusson is expected to take charge of Oregon's private markets investments, which are crucial for the financial health of the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund (OPERF) and other state trust funds.
In a statement obtained by the Oregon State Treasury, Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner emphasized the significance of private market investments, especially in times of "global economic uncertainty." Steiner expressed confidence in Fergusson's capabilities, asserting, "Tad brings his experience and expertise to Treasury at a time when global economic uncertainty makes our investment decisions more complex. I welcome Tad to Treasury and look forward to working with him." It's a strategic move meant to leverage Fergusson's nearly three decades' worth of industry insight.
Before stepping into this new role, Fergusson made his mark at Meketa Investment Group as a Managing Principal starting in 2019, advising some of the country's largest public pension plans. His prior experience at Pension Consulting Alliance, where he spearheaded private equity consulting for major public pension plans, gives testament to his industry prowess. The University of Oregon alumnus is also distinguished by his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, shining a light on his financial acumen and dedication to his field.
Fergusson's responsibilities in the new position will include enhancing Treasury's private market investments, historically one of the best-performing asset classes within OPERF. According to the Oregon State Treasury, over the past decade, private equity investments yielded a 12.69% return, topping the performance charts for the retirement fund. With approximately 26% of the fund's portfolio in private equity, the impact of these investments is non-negligible, making them a linchpin in provisioning for Oregon's public retirees' future.
This appointment positions Fergusson as a key player in a team of investment professionals dedicated to managing a globally diversified portfolio for public entities and beneficiaries of the state retirement system. Reporting to Chief Investment Officer Rex Kim, Fergusson's role is poised to cater to the treasury's commitment to delivering risk-adjusted returns while navigating through the challenges of today's economic landscape. In a statement from Fergusson himself, the new director expressed his commitment: "I'm honored to join the Oregon State Treasury as Director of Private Markets and am grateful for the opportunity to lead this team," he told the Oregon State Treasury. "As a lifelong Oregonian, I look forward to building strong relationships with our partners and stakeholders as we work together to deliver long-term, sustainable value for Oregon and our state’s public employees."
