In May 2004 the Commissioners had voted to appoint Russo as chairman to fill the unexpired term of Chairman Bob Tierney, a then-Civil Service Commissioner, who resigned to become director of the Boston Retirement Board.

Machado Reappointed

On October 30, two days earlier than the Russo vote, Commissioner Jim Machado was appointed by Governor Romney to a new five-year term as the public safety representative on the commission. Machado is a Fall River police sergeant and a legislative representative of the Mass. Police Association which had endorsed Kerry Healey for governor.

Seven Commissioners

PERAC, a state agency created in 1996, overseas the 106 retirement systems in the Commonwealth. The agency is directed by seven unpaid commissioners. In addition to Chairman Russo and Commissioner Machado, the other five Commissioners are: State Auditor Joe DeNucci (represented by Deputy Auditor John Parsons); Ken Donnelly, a Lexington firefighter (the AFL-CIO designee) appointed by the State Auditor: Donald Marquis, retired Arlington town manager who is currently serving as a Civil Service commissioner (the MMA designee appointed by the State Auditor); Governor’s designee Carlos DeSantis and Governor’s designee Henry Brauer.

Joe Connarton, who is PERAC’s executive director, oversees a staff of 40 employees which includes attorneys, auditors, actuarial analysts, case managers, fraud investigators and investment analysts. Joe Martin is PERAC’s deputy executive director and Kevin Blanchette is deputy executive director of operations.