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Contact the PERS Board
Administration
The Oregon Legislature has delegated authority to the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Board of Trustees to
administer the PERS system. The board is composed of five trustees who administer retirement (service and
disability), death, and retiree health insurance benefits. PERS also administers the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a
deferred compensation program for state and local government employees.
Director and consultants
The board retains consultants and appoints an executive director. The director serves at the discretion of the board
and is responsible for the PERS administrative staff. Consultants include legal counsel, a medical advisor, an
actuary, and insurance consultant.
PERS board members
As trustee of the Public Employees Retirement Fund, the PERS Board has a responsibility to manage and administer the
system as set forth by law. The board also monitors the plan for compliance with federal laws.
Statute specifies board membership must consist of three people with experience in business management, pension
management, or investing who are not members of the PERS system; one person who is either an employee of the state in
a management position or a person who holds an elective office in the governing body of a participating public
employer other than the state; and one person representing public employees and retirees.
The three board members representing business management, pension management, or investing are Jardon Jaramillo
(Board Chair), Bob Hestand, and Kristen Connor. John Scanlan (Vice Chair) was appointed to represent public employees
and retirees; Suzanne Linneen was appointed to represent public employers. Terms for each member are staggered.
Jardon Jaramillo (Board Chair)
Jardon Jaramillo serves as Senior Director of Finance and Investor Relations at Lithia & Driveway. He
previously worked at Portland General Electric (PGE), where he served in various finance and human resources
roles, including managing the company’s defined-benefit pension plan and health care programs. Before joining
PGE, Mr. Jaramillo was a manager with Deloitte Consulting in the audit and assurance space. He enjoys
contributing to solutions regarding housing and equity issues in the community.
Mr. Jaramillo received a Master of Business Administration from the Anderson School at the University of
California, Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwest Nazarene University. He is a
certified public accountant in Oregon.
Mr. Jaramillo’s appointment by Gov. Kate Brown was confirmed by the Senate on September 16, 2019. His current
term ends September 30, 2025.
John Scanlan (Vice Chair)
John Scanlan was a teacher for 29 years and retired in 2021. He taught English language arts to students in
grades 6 to 12 in three districts; was an adjunct professor at Eastern Oregon University (EOU); co-directed the
Oregon Writing Project at EOU; and coordinated the Pendleton School District Outdoor School, the longest
continuously operating outdoor school program east of the Cascades. Mr. Scanlan also served as president of the
Oregon Council of Teachers of English, frequently presented at council conferences, and has been published in
the council’s peer-reviewed Oregon English Journal. He has been active in the Oregon Education Association,
including serving as a local building representative, treasurer, negotiation team leader, president, and board
member. He also currently serves on the board of the National Education Association.
Mr. Scanlan’s appointment by Gov. Kate Brown was confirmed by the Senate on May 13, 2021. His current term
ends May 13, 2027.
Bob Hestand
Bob Hestand is the Founder of Forward Focus and Chief Information Officer at Foresight Creative Technologies.
Through Forward Focus, he provides fractional leadership in technology and operations, helping organizations
align information technology strategy with business objectives across diverse sectors. With more than two
decades of experience, Mr. Hestand is a recognized leader in technology, human resources, and project
management, serving both corporate and nonprofit organizations. He has also overseen employer retirement
programs, offering valuable insight into benefits administration and long-term workforce planning. Mr. Hestand
holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana
University.
Mr. Hestand’s appointment by Gov. Tina Kotek was confirmed by the Senate in September 2024. His current term
ends October 6, 2027.
Kristen Connor
Kristen Connor is the Senior Vice President, Community Impact Officer at Heritage Bank. She works with
nonprofit organizations, the legal community, and some of the region’s leading organizations focused on a broad
range of sustainability and social justice issues. Under Ms. Connor’s leadership, Heritage Bank launched a
formalized community investment and giving program that includes an annual employee volunteer day, a corporate
giving initiative that raises $1.5 million annually, and other sustainability efforts and certifications. Ms.
Connor is the Treasurer of the Oregon Law Foundation and has served on several other boards including Age+,
Better Portland, and Sunstone Montessori. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Economics with a minor
in business administration from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Ms. Connor’s appointment by Gov. Tina Kotek was confirmed by the Senate in September 2024. Her current term
ends October 6, 2027.
Robert Tintle
Robert Tintle is the Deschutes County Chief Financial Officer, a role he has held since 2022. He has over 25 years
of public sector financial experience, including his time as county treasurer and finance manager at Lane County
and financial positions at the City of Eugene and Lane Transit District. His expertise spans financial planning,
treasury, accounting, budgeting, and debt management. Mr. Tintle holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from
Linfield University and a Master of Public Administration from Norwich University. He is a past president of the
Oregon Association of County Treasurers and Finance Officers and remains active in the association.
Mr. Tintle’s appointment by Gov. Tina Kotek was confirmed by the Senate on November 19, 2025. His current term
ends November 19, 2028.