Rod June, New ERS Chief to Speak at HVCA Lunch June 26, 2008

ROD JUNE, ERS CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER TO ADDRESS HAWAII VENTURE CAPITAL ASSOCIATION
Is it time for the ERS to invest in Hawaii venture funds?
6/26/2008

Hawaii continues to be starved for sufficient amounts of venture capital to sustain later stage companies seeking to expand. This is partially because Hawaii’s large family estates, trusts and retirement funds tend to give their high risk investment dollars to mainland fund managers that ignore the Hawaii market. One of Hawaii’s largest investment portfolios, the State Employees’ Retirement System, has never put money into local venture capital firms. What are the issues surrounding this policy? Wouldn’t an increase in tax revenues from a thriving tech sector benefit state government retirees?

The Hawaii Venture Capital Association has invited the new Chief Investment Officer for the $11 billion Employees’ Retirement System, Rod June, to address members and guests at the association’s June 26, 2008 luncheon meeting at the Plaza Club.

Rod June manages the ERS investment portfolio that includes both U.S. and non-U.S. public equities, fixed income, real estate, and alternative investments in private equity and timber. Prior to arriving in Hawai’i, he managed the private equity and cash management programs for LACERS (LA City Employees’ Retirement System), and developed low-income multi-family housing and managed the federal housing grant program for the City of Los Angeles. Outside of government service, he worked as a management consultant to small business organizations and as a bank lending officer. He is President and Founder of the LEAD Association, a non-profit corporation that serves the professional development needs of students at his undergraduate alma mater at California State University, Long Beach. He holds an MBA in finance from Auburn University.

“We look forward to beginning a dialog with Rod, who brings important experience to Hawaii,” said Bill Spencer, HVCA President. “Act 221 has seeded a long list of companies with tremendous potential to create great jobs and contribute to Hawaii’s economy and tax base. Has the time finally come when the ERS can justify putting a small part of its alternative investment dollars in our state?”

The Hawaii Venture Capital Association, founded in 1988, is one of Hawaii’s oldest private non-profit economic development organizations devoted to entrepreneurship and capital formation.

This meeting will be held:

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Plaza Club 20th Floor

11:30am-1:30pm

$29 for HVCA, Hawaii Angels, Tech Hui, DualUse Council, Bytemarks and HSTC Members, $39 non-members, $25 students.

Aloha attire is required by the Plaza Club.

Register at www.hvca.org or contact

Gail at (808) 262-7329