July 20, 2023 – The Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association (VCERA) Board of Retirement has appointed Richard Santos as VCERA’s Interim Retirement Administrator. He will replace the retiring chief executive, Linda Webb, who held the position since 2015. Mr. Santos will begin meeting with Ms. Webb in early August before her departure later in the month.

Mr. Santos will lead VCERA until a full-time administrator is selected by the Board of Retirement following a nationwide recruitment that is scheduled to begin in September 2023.

Mr. Santos previously served as the Executive Director at the Stanislaus County Employees’ Retirement Association (StanCERA) for more than 11 years before retiring in January 2023. Prior to joining StanCERA, he worked as a Senior Pension Actuary for the nation’s largest defined benefit pension plan, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), for nearly 16 years.

He is an Associate in the Society of Actuaries, a member of the American Academy of Actuaries, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), the former Chair of the State Controller’s Office’s Retirement Advisory Committee, and a former member of the University of the Pacific’s Actuarial Science Advisory Board.

Mike Sedell, Chair of the VCERA Board of Retirement, stated: “We are pleased to have such a seasoned executive assist VCERA during this time of transition. Rick’s experience and knowledge leading a county retirement system will ensure continuity of member services, effective communication with our stakeholders, and administrative support for the Board.”

“VCERA is fortunate to have Rick Santos serve as Interim Retirement Administrator, and his experience and knowledge will be a stabilizing force during this time of transition,” said the departing Webb. “I have complete confidence VCERA will be in good hands.”

“It’s an honor to be selected for this role in Ventura,” Mr. Santos said. “I look forward to working with the VCERA Board and supporting staff in the important work they do on behalf of their 20,000 members.”

(Click here to view the press release.)