TRS Board of Control Election Information
Regular Election Information
Ballots for the TRS Board of Control regular election will be mailed by October 15, 2019, and must be returned to Election America no later than 4:00 p.m., November 21, 2019. This election is for Retired Position No. 2, currently held by Joe Ward. The term of office will begin July 1, 2020.
To be eligible to vote for the Retired No. 2 Position, you must be a former active member of the TRS and currently on the TRS retired payroll. By submitting your vote, you are confirming that you are eligible to vote for the position based on your classification. If your classification is incorrect, please contact the Elections Coordinator at 334.517.7192 or 877.517.0020.
Eligible members will be able to vote by mail, phone, or the internet (rsavotes.com). You must have your Election Code and Voting PIN to vote online or by phone. Instructions will be included with the paper ballot. More information about the candidates can be found below.
Sample Ballot for Retired Position #2
Retired Candidate Statements - below in the order they will appear on the ballot and in their own words
John Paul Jones
No statement provided.
Donna Lynn Dyess
“The role of the TRS Board of Control is to be a diligent steward for active members and retirees of the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA). This requires that the Board manage the funds in a manner to maximize investment gains while minimizing opportunities for loss. The Board is obligated to monitor and manage the pension program in a manner that will provide for current retirees without generating unfunded liabilities that could jeopardize the retirement benefits for future retirees. Members of the Board of Control have to be willing to invest the time and effort to achieve these goals. The Board impacts me and many of the people that surround me each day – I am willing to work in a program that is tasked with sustaining current retirees and preparing for the retirees of the future.”
Bobby Jackson
“I would like to serve on this board to ensure that our members get the full benefit of our retirement system. I will make sure that we get the best benefits for least cost. I will always have the member’s best interest in mind when voting for recommendations that have a direct impact on our benefits. I am committed to safe guarding the retirement benefits members have worked so hard to obtain. Your consideration will be greatly appreciated.”
Anita Gibson
“Serving on the TRS Board of Control is not just a position to hold, it is a responsibility to be taken seriously. Members of this board are tasked with making life-changing decisions. These decisions must be based on facts and not politics, all while balancing what is right for our retirees now and in the future. As a member of this board, I will use my leadership experience, the knowledge I have gained through my years of service to my profession and the information provided to me at board meetings to advocate for our retired members as tough decisions are made. Always mindful that every decision made will have a direct impact on every retiree across this state, and that I am accountable to them for my actions, I will be prepared for each board meeting. As a member of this board, I must work with Dr. Bronner, TRS Staff, and my fellow board members to find ways to provide the best for our retirees while keeping out of pocket expenses down. The well-being of every retiree must and will be at the center of the decisions I make while serving on the TRS Board of Control.”
Larry Ryland
No statement provided.
Joe Ward, incumbent
“My entire professional life has been devoted to the advancement of education at the local, state, and national levels. This is an opportunity to continue to be an advocate for educational issues. In this role, my priority will be to work for the betterment of the retired educators of Alabama. I will always put your interests first and will use the expertise from over 50 years of experience to this end.”
James Hethcox
“I estimate that out of my 72 total years on this earth, I have spent 66 years either in front of the desk as a student or behind the desk as an instructor/administrator. Therefore, I am familiar with the issues that faced us as we embraced our respective careers in the classroom. Since I retired in 2004, I have found a different set of issues face us with respect to our healthcare. I am dismayed over the amount of oversight that insurance companies currently have to dictate to our healthcare providers with respect to their duty to employ the latest advances in medical technology and their responsibility to dispense proper medication for our physical well-being. Although I understand the necessity to curtail medical care costs in line with a budget, I question whether we have established precedents that might, in the future, become a deterrent to our long-term healthcare. I contracted Polio in 1951. Allow me to represent you on the TRS Board of Control – Retired Position, and I assure you I’ll employ those same characteristics that I employed to overcome physical, mental, and psychological obstacles throughout my life in order to advance our common goals.”
Richard “Dickie” Brown
“Having been a member of the retirement systems for 50 years, I have seen and know what the Retirement System Board has accomplished and how important it is to so many of us across Alabama. My 50 years of educational experience in Alabama as a teacher, coach, and principal, and the experience that I have gained through serving on local, state, and national committees and organizations lead me to believe that I am a qualified candidate for the position and would, therefore, like to honorably represent the retirees of this state on the Retirement System Board. While serving on the TRS and PEEHIP Boards the past six years, some extremely difficult decisions had to be made. I have always voted for what I truly believe is best for all members.”
Jimmie Robinson
“The reason I would like to serve on the RSA Board is I would like to be the voice for all retirees. I know how important it is to have affordable healthcare and pay raise every year. I will work with Dr. David Bronner to keep teacher retirement financially sound. Please allow me the opportunity to represent you. Thank you.”
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