AE Roundtable: Institutional Allocator Trends In Focus

Tentative agenda revolves around critical topics such as longevity risk, the trend toward private markets, and the impact of policy and regulation, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations as well as what impacts might be anticipated from the upcoming election outcomes for institutions.

John Robb, Investment Committee, West Point Endowment 

John Robb is a seasoned investment professional with extensive experience in managing the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) Endowment, where he has served on the Investment Committee since 2004 and chaired it from 2009 to 2019. He is the Founder and Managing Director of The Stone Creek Group, a diversified firm with interests in investment management, industrial pumps, real estate, and oil & gas.

Before Stone Creek, John was the Senior Vice President, Managing Director, and founder of Alliance Bernstein’s Denver office. His leadership there was instrumental in developing financial strategies for high-net-worth clients.

John is also deeply involved in philanthropy, having served on the Craig Hospital Foundation Board since 2017, including a recent term as Chair. He is a 1991 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he captained the 1990 Army Football Team, and holds an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University. John and his wife, Patricia, live in Colorado, enjoying skiing, hiking, and spending time with their family.

Jorge de Lafuente, Director, Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company

Jorge de Lafuente is the Director of Operational Due Diligence at the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company, where he leads due diligence for Hedge Fund, Venture, Private Equity, and Real Estate investments. Since joining in 2010, he has played a key role in maintaining the operational integrity of the firm’s investment portfolio.

Jorge’s career in financial services includes previous roles at Texas-based Funds of Hedge Funds, focusing on due diligence and operational risk management. He also has extensive experience in derivatives and structured products from his time at Citigroup, Bear Stearns, and Salomon Brothers in New York.

Jorge holds a BBA in International Business from St. Mary’s University, with over three decades of experience in the industry, making him a recognized leader in operational due diligence.

Tom Tull,CFA, Member, Board of Trustees – Mayoral Appointee, Dallas Police & Fire Pension System

Tom Tull, CFA, serves on the Board of Trustees for the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System, bringing over four decades of investment experience. Appointed by the Mayor of Dallas, he helps guide the pension system’s investment strategies to ensure the financial security of the city’s first responders.

Previously, Tom was the Chief Investment Officer at the Employees Retirement System of Texas, managing a ~$35 billion public pension plan. He also serves as a Senior Advisor at Star Mountain Capital and has held leadership roles at Gulfstream Global Investors, The LTV Corporation, and The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company.

Tom holds a B.S. in Finance from The Ohio State University and an MBA from Xavier University. He is a recognized leader in the investment community, known for his commitment to public service and his dedication to securing the financial futures of Dallas’s police and firefighters.

Eric Newman, CPA, CGMA, Treasury Manager, Vice Chairman & Trustee of Pension Boards, City of Stamford

Eric Newman, CPA, CGMA, is the Treasury Manager for the City of Stamford, Connecticut, where he oversees strategic treasury management and financial operations. He manages short- and medium-term investments, optimizes working capital, and ensures compliance with investment policies.

Eric also serves as Vice Chairman and Trustee on several pension boards, including the OPEB Board, where he oversees a $289 million plan, and the Classified Employees Retirement Fund with $309 million in assets. His roles involve managing investment performance, approving retirements, and ensuring financial security for plan participants.

Additionally, Eric is involved in broader financial advisory roles, including on the Africa Institutional Investor Advisory Council. He holds an MBA in Finance from Sacred Heart University and is pursuing further studies at Harvard University.

Andrew Sawyer, Former CIO, Maine Public Employees Retirement System

Andrew Sawyer is the former Chief Investment Officer of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System, where he managed the investment portfolio from 2007 to 2019, ensuring its growth and stability. He now serves as a Senior Advisor at Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners and LongTail Alpha, LLC, while actively contributing to several boards, including the Maine Medical Center Investment Committee.

With a career spanning both public and private sectors, Andrew has held leadership roles at a multinational bank, Raytheon, and Fuji Bank Ltd. He holds an MBA in Finance from Pace University and a BA in Business Administration/Finance from the University of Maine, where he also captained the Varsity Ski Team. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Andrew is also a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Beyond his professional roles, Andrew has taught investment management as an adjunct professor and served as a Board Member and Investment Committee Chair at the Holderness School. His expertise and dedication have established him as a respected leader in investment management.

About Allocator Exclusive

Allocator Exclusive is an invite-only non-profit organization created by allocators, specifically for allocators. It was established in 2021 with a clear mission to form a virtual network exclusively for allocators.

Our exclusive roundtable events bring together distinguished participants from various sectors, including family offices, endowments, foundations, pensions, government treasuries, and sovereign wealth funds. Allocator Exclusive is committed to remaining non-profit and free from any costs, sell-side influence, pitches, or sponsors.

We invite you to join our Allocator Exclusive Roundtable, held on the second Friday of each month. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded allocators in a focused and exclusive setting.

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