Board Election 2025
Your retirement matters to you and KPERS is part of that. How we take care of it now affects us all. In April, members voted for School and Non-School Trustees to represent them on the KPERS Board of Trustees. Results are in.
Your Voice Was Heard
Last month, we asked you to tell us who you'd like to be your KPERS School or non-school Trustee. KPERS Board serves an important role as a fiduciary by overseeing the System’s operations and the investment program. Member-elected positions let KPERS members keep their voice in the Board room.
The new term for both trustees starts July 1, 2025. Thank you for voting in this year's election and having your voice heard.
Ways You Can Vote
Online: Login to your KPERS account and click the "Board Election" logo to apply. Choose your candidate and click submit.
By Phone: Contact KPERS at 1-888-275-5737 to request a phone voting PIN.
By Paper Ballot: Contact KPERS at 1-888-275-5737 to request a paper ballot.
Must be postmarked by April 30, 2025 to be counted.
Elected School Trustee
Chris Huntsman
This is her first term.
Chris Huntsman, of Topeka, retired in 2008 after 36 years of teaching home economics in Valley Falls, Royal Valley and Topeka Public Schools. She was elected and served 7 years as the National Education Association-Topeka President, a full-time release position from the classroom. She was an adjunct at Washburn University for over 10 years. Chris holds degrees from Sterling College and Kansas State University.
Her KPERS passion began in 2011 when she testified before the Joint Committee on Pensions, Investments and Benefits about cost-of-living adjustments. She has worked since then in various advocacy roles.
In retirement, she is involved in the Kansas Coalition of Public Retirees, the Capital-Area Retired Educators, Kansas National Education Association-Retired (president 2015-2019), Topeka-Area Retired School Personnel (past legislative liaison), the Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel, the League of Women Voters, Shawnee County Extension Foundation Board. Chris also volunteers at the Topeka Library's “booktique.”
Elected Non-School Trustee
Ryan Trader
This is his third term.
Ryan Trader is a Captain for the Olathe Fire Department. Being a third-generation firefighter and having a mother that retired from the Olathe School District, he grew up knowing the integral role of pensions in the lives of Kansas’ public servants and their families.
Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from University of Kansas and a master's degree in systems engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. Currently, he’s the elected non-school trustee of the KPERS Board, now completing a second 4-year term.
He assisted with the Michael Wells Memorial Bill, ensuring equal Line of Duty Death benefits for members that die from service-connected disease. He also worked on the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), allowing KP&F members an option for extending their careers.
Ryan and his wife, Megan, who is a teacher in the Blue Valley School District, have three young children. They live in Spring Hill.
Election Oversight Committee
- Dale Dennis, Retired Deputy Commissioner of Kansas Department of Education
- Jeff Russell, Retired Director of Kansas Legislative Administrative Services
- Bryan Caskey, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Elections
Board Responsibilities
- Review and adopt actuarial assumptions and reviews employer contribution rates.
- Determine an appropriate asset allocation mix.
- Establish and follow investment policies and guidelines.
- Hire and monitor the performance of investment managers.
- Hire and monitor the performance of various other service providers, including actuaries, consultants, advisors and custodians.
- Hire and monitor the performance of the executive director (chief executive officer).
Required Personal Commitment
The Board meets seven times a year, usually in Topeka. Trustees also serve on the committees (Audit, Deferred Compensation Plan, Investment, and Personnel), which require additional meetings the day before the full Board meeting. On average, trustees will spend 15 days a year in Board meetings. Occasionally there are special phone meetings between regularly scheduled meetings. In addition, trustees must read meeting materials in advance and prepare for meetings. Trustees must be committed to their fiduciary responsibilities according to law, acting in the best interest of members for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to members and their beneficiaries.