Jack Ehnes

Jack Ehnes is the Chief Executive Officer of the California State Teachers' Retirement System. Mr. Ehnes provides leadership for the second largest public pension fund in the nation, which serves more than 833,300 members and benefit recipients with an operating budget of approximately $138 million and 800 employees. The current estimated asset value of the CalSTRS investment portfolio is $130.3 billion as of September 30, 2009. CalSTRS administers retirement, disability and survivor benefits for California's public school educators in grades kindergarten through community college.

Mr. Ehnes came to CalSTRS from Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company (Denver, Colorado). Among several duties as vice president for corporate affairs, Mr. Ehnes served as the trustee/plan administrator for Great-West’s employees’ defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Prior to Great-West, Mr. Ehnes served as the Colorado Insurance Commissioner, deputy insurance commissioner and board trustee for the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association, which included six years as chair and vice-chair of the board.

Mr. Ehnes currently serves on the boards of the National Institute on Retirement Security and of Ceres.

As a recognized leader and public servant, Mr. Ehnes has served on high profile national task forces through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and on various healthcare and insurance commissions, and advisory boards. His awards include the 1992 “State of Colorado Manager of the Year” award, the 1999 “Career Service Award” from the Colorado Group Insurance Association and recognition from the Colorado chapter of AARP for outstanding public service.

Mr. Ehnes is a native of Rochester, New York, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and a Master of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University. He lives in Sacramento with his wife, Cindy, and daughters Lacey and Amy.