Schloss, a Melrose resident, has been the Board’s chief legal counsel since 1986. she had earlier worked as a legal counsel for the City of Boston, including several years at the Boston Retirement Board.

Schloss is well-known in public retirement circles, having authored several articles in legal publications, including the Massachusetts Public Pension Law Quarterly. She has been a regular speaker at semi-annual conferences of the Mass. Association of Contributory Retirement Systems (MACRS).

“Joan will be a worthy successor to Tom Lussier” said MACRS President Roy Sacco. “I’ve known her for many years. She’s always shared her broad knowledge of public retirement with MACRS and we look forward to having her with us at our June conference.”

Ellen Hargraves, a retired teacher, is Governor Romney’s appointee to the Teacher’s Board. “I have found Joan to be an extremely competent person with outstanding leadership qualities that will be so important in her new position,” said Hargraves. “The Board deliberated long and hard before voting to appoint Joan. It was an exhaustive process during which every Board member had substantial input.”

“I’m glad the Board selected someone from within,” said Association President Ralph White. “The Teachers Retirement System, with its 86,000 teachers and 44,000 retired teachers, has some unique features, including the RetirementPlus Plan which went into effect two years ago. Joan knows the nuts and bolts of the Teachers’ System and the Board’s operation. She’ll do a fine job.”

David Driscoll, Tim Cahill, Joe DeNucci (or their designees), Ellen Hargraves, George McSherry, John “Jay” Dow, Jr. and Linda Ruberto are the members of the Teachers’ Board. Driscoll, the Commissioner of Education, is the Board chairman.