The Missouri State Teachers Association congratulates Executive Director Steve Yoakum on his announced retirement from the Public School & Education Employee Retirement Systems. Under Steve’s leadership, Missouri members benefited from modernization of the system and improvements to the retirement plan for current members and retirees during his tenure. Steve was a steady voice to lead the system during the great recession in 2008 and maintain its position as one of the model defined benefit pension programs in the world, never losing sight of the system’s goals to recruit and retain Missouri’s education professionals.
The next leader of the Public School & Education Employee Retirement Systems of Missouri must continue to value the input of all members of the system. It is important that PSRS/PEERS remains a system that helps recruit and retain highly qualified and professional public school employees that will lead the next generation of Missourians.
“It is incumbent on the Board of Trustees to have a robust national search to find the next executive director. The Board of Trustees must find a proven pension leader who will value the hard work and dedication of public education employees to ensure a hearty retirement for current and future members. A decision as serious and transformative as this must be led by the chair of the Board of Trustees, with input from all stakeholders,” said MSTA Executive Director Bruce Moe.
Moe said MSTA looks forward to working with the hiring firm, the board and the system to ensure that education professionals from across the state, both active and retired, will be served by a new highly qualified leader that will continue to push the system forward in a responsible and professional manner.