As big changes loom, head of largest of Ohio's 5 public pension funds announces resignation

2/7/2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The head of Ohio's largest public pension fund has announced plans to resign within the next few months.

Chris DeRose has been executive director of the $75.7 billion Ohio Public Employees Retirement System since October 2006. He announced his intention to leave at a staff meeting Monday.

DeRose says he has accepted a position in the private sector as a vice president with Ingenix, a health care consulting firm based in Eden Prairie, Minn. He will work out a transition plan, including a mutually agreed on departure date, with the pension fund's board. His departure comes as state lawmakers prepare to make significant changes to public pension formulas.

Board chairman Ken Thomas said DeRose's replacement will be decided after a nationwide search.