9:00 a.m.... Registration....................... Juniata Room Pre-Function Area

All workshop sessions today in the Juniata/Delaware Rooms.

10:00 a.m.... Welcome.... Bob Mettley, President PAPERS Board of Trustees

10:05 a.m.... Caffeine, Compliance and Crisis Management:  Trustee Life 101

Moderator     Susan Lemmo, Public School Employees’ Retirement System

Panelists       Brian Reiser, Grove City Area School District

                               Mary Bateman, Dauphin County

Join us for an educational seminar that offers a practical look at the daily responsibilities of a pension plan trustee. Learn the fundamentals of fiduciary duty, investment oversight, compliance requirements, and participant communication. Whether you're new to the role or looking to refresh your knowledge, this session will provide essential insights into managing a pension plan effectively and responsibly.

 10:55 a.m....... So Many Risks, So Little Time….

Moderator     Steve Vaughn, Retired/Former PAPERS Board President

Panelists       Erica Brusselars, Allegheny County

                                Michael Spadaro, Gabriel Roeder Smith & Co.

                                Brad Hampton, Marquette

This educational seminar is designed to help pension plan trustees identify, understand, and manage the various risks that come with fiduciary responsibility. From investment and operational risks to regulatory and compliance challenges, trustees will gain practical strategies to protect both the plan and its participants while fulfilling their fiduciary duties with confidence.

                             Special Guest........................... Stacy Garrity, State Treasurer

   1:00 p.m.... What?  Investment is a RISK?

Moderator     Craig Morton, Wilshire

Panelists       A.C. Stickel Blair County

                                Adam Phillips, Loop Capital

                               Steve Shekane, Constitution Capital

This focused seminar takes a deeper look at one of the most critical areas of fiduciary responsibility: investment risk. Trustees will explore how to identify, evaluate, and manage investment risks to protect plan assets, meet fiduciary standards, and support long-term plan success. Gain practical tools and insights to strengthen your oversight and decision-making.

1:50 p.m........ Pensions Plans in a Changing World: Policy, Markets & Emerging Trends

Speakers      Alison O'Donnell, BNY Mellon

                              Justin Sok, Rich Feuer Anders

This seminar offers a broad overview of key factors currently influencing pension plans, including updates from Washington, D.C., the impact of President Trump’s policies, the general economic environment, tariffs, tax changes, deregulation, and market reactions. We’ll also explore emerging issues like digital currencies (DOGE) and artificial intelligence (AI), and their potential long-term implications for pension plan strategy and risk management.

 2:40 p.m...... Break................................. Juniata Room Pre-Function Area

 2:50 p.m........ Current Trends in Pension Assumptions: Insights from the Experts

Moderator    Kris Seets, Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Co.

Panelists      Craig Graby, Korn Ferry

                               Jason Fine, Gallagher

This session will discuss a myriad of topics, including how private equity firms work with their operating partners to create value for investors, recent industry trends over the past few years amid the impact from COVID, supply chain issues and higher interest rates.

 3:40 p.m..... Auditors at the Gate:   Whose Interests Are They Protecting?

Speakers       Hannah Ross, Bernstein Litowitz Berger Grossmann

                               Tom Sperber, Bernstein Litowitz Berger Grossmann

This presentation will examine the role private equity and venture capital play in a well-diversified portfolio, including how the various sub-strategies interact from a risk/return and cash flow perspective. We’ll then outline the key considerations in building a private equity program, such as determining the appropriate access points, developing (and sticking to!) a pacing plan, and understanding key factors that drive performance such as manager selection and vintage year diversification.

5:00 p.m... Roof Top Cocktail Reception............................... Bravo Group, 20 N. Second Street - Just across the street from the Hilton

Special Guest Tim DeFoor, State Auditor General

Conference Schedule

 7:45 a.m..... Registration....................... Juniata Room Pre-Function Area

 8:00 a.m..... Breakfast............................ Allegheny/Susquehanna Rooms

All workshop sessions today in the Juniata/Delaware Rooms.

 8:45 a.m..... Legislative Development Impacting Pension Plans

Speakers      Mark Fetzko, Public School Employees’ Retirement System

                               Scott Sikolski, Office of PA Senator Pittman

This seminar will provide an overview of recent legislative proposals, regulatory changes, and policy observations affecting pension plans. Learn how emerging laws and government initiatives could influence plan design, funding requirements, fiduciary responsibilities, and long-term planning strategies.

9:35 a.m..... The Many Hats of Pension Administrators – Legal & Ethical Considerations

Speaker      Nicholas Marcucci, State Employees’ Retirement System

Pension plan trustees and administrators can have many roles, both as pension plan administrators and in their other functions.  These various roles may create legal or ethical conflicts if not carefully separated and managed.  This presentation will review the many “different hats” that a pension plan trustee or administrator can wear, and some of the issues and potential conflicts that can arise.

 10:25 a.m.... Break ................................. Juniata Room Pre-Function Area

 10:35 a.m. .... Emerging Investment Trends in Pension Plan Management