[May 18, 2011]

Seven UC employees are in the running for two open staff seats on the UC Retirement System Advisory Board. The board meets three times each year to discuss issues pertaining to UC's retirement plans and shares ideas with President Mark G. Yudof.

Active, eligible UCRP staff members will be invited to vote for two new representatives from May 23 through June 17.  See below for more detail on voting eligibility and procedures.

Following is a list of the candidates, with an excerpt from his/her candidate statement:

Grai L. Andreason, associate manager of technology transfer at UC San Diego
"As I anticipate my own retirement, I have a vested interest in ensuring a viable plan for the near and far term."

Catherine A. Brennan, assistant researcher at UCLA's AIDS Institute
"I come from a family of financial and accounting experts, and with my long-standing interest in financial affairs, am qualified to represent the staff of UC on the Pension Advisory Board."

Paul D. Brooks, spectroscopist at UC Berkeley
"I am running for election to the UC Retirement Plan Advisory Board to preserve our pensions and achieve more transparency in the management of the plan."

Michael Erazo, public safety dispatcher, UC Berkeley
"It's time for new ideas and approaches that benefit you, not simply ask you to give up more."

Raschel Greenberg, student affairs officer at UC Irvine
"Now, more than ever, retirement system benefits are important in our UC careers; my goal will be speaking up for staff in UCRS Advisory Board discussions."

Monica Martinez, administrative clinical care partner, UCLA Medical Center
"I am ready to hit the ground running with a solid understanding of the issues and recent changes, and to contribute a much-needed perspective on how benefits changes impact UC workers."

Deborah H. McWilliams, chief administrative officer, UCLA
"I served on several UCI campuswide committees…. As a recent transfer to UCLA, I hope to continue my staff advocacy efforts and University service."

• Read the candidates' full statements on the UCRS Advisory Board election website

How to cast a ballot

All active, eligible UCRP members who are not part of the Academic Senate may vote for two candidates to sit on the board for a four-year term.

VR Election Services (VRES) is conducting the online election. VRES has more than 25 years experience conducting retirement board elections, including elections for many of the largest public retirement systems in the country.

Eligible UCRP members with UC email addresses will receive an email announcing that they are eligible to vote.  The email will include a link to the e-ballot, a unique PIN and voting instructions. The PIN ensures that eligible voters cast only one ballot.

UCRP members without UC email addresses will receive a ballot and instructions in the mail at their home address.  The election information will also include instructions and a PIN for voting online.  The members can either mail in the paper ballot or vote online using the PIN provided in the election packet.

VRES has email and telephone helplines.  Contact VRES via email at
custserv@vres.us or call them toll-free at 1-800-218-4026, Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PDT.

Final election results will be posted at the UCRS Advisory Board election website by the end of June.

About the UCRS Advisory Board

The 11-member UCRS Advisory Board is comprised of a cross-section of the university community. In addition to the two seats held by elected staff representatives, the board includes members appointed by the president, faculty appointed by the UC Academic Senate, and the chairs of the Council of UC Emeriti Associations and the Council of UC Retiree Associations.

The advisory board meets three times a year to discuss and share its opinions with UC President Mark G. Yudof on issues relating to all members, retirees and their beneficiaries for the following plans:

• University of California Retirement Plan (UCRP)
• Tax-Deferred 403(b) Plan
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Defined Contribution Plan
• The 415(m) Restoration Plan

• More information about the UCRS Advisory Board and the election

• The information presented in these news archive articles may no longer be current. Please note the date when the article was first published.