2025 TEXPERS Summer Educational Forum in El Paso: A Premier Event for Public Pension Education and Networking
From Aug. 3–5, 2025, 274 trustees, administrators, and industry professionals convened in El Paso, Texas, for the TEXPERS Summer Educational Forum—offering three days packed with professional development, pension fund governance insights, and networking built on a foundation of retirement security for public employees.
“This year’s Forum offered an outstanding combination of education, networking, and professional growth opportunities. From thought-provoking sessions to memorable networking events, our attendees left El Paso better equipped to serve their pension systems and members,” said Sherry Mose, President of the TEXPERS Board.
A Message from the Presenting Sponsor
“Dimensional is honored to serve as the Presenting Sponsor for TEXPERS this summer… our time in El Paso reaffirmed our convictions that Texas pension plans will continue to provide for generations to come!”
— Scott Olguin, Regional Director & Vice President, Dimensional Fund Advisors
Educational Highlights
Speakers and topics included:
- Longevity, Literacy & Retirement Expectations – Brent Davis, Senior Economist at TIAA Institute, on retirement longevity trends.
- What Would Legal Counsel Say? – Michelle Mellon-Werch (Nossaman LLP) sharing legal insights.
- AI ChatBots for Pension Funds – Joe Gimenez (G3 Public Relations) demonstrating AI tools to enhance member support.
- Stay in Your Seat – Weston Wellington (Dimensional Fund Advisors) illustrates the value of a long-term investment strategy.
- Regional Economic Overview – Mayra Maldonado, Executive Director of the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness at UTEP, analyzing regional economic data.
- Guardians of the Fund – A panel featuring veteran trustees Robert Ash, Jerry Don Sutton, and Henry Wilson, moderated by Mellon-Werch.
For speaker profiles, sponsor spotlights, and more event features, see the official Program Guide.
Networking Highlights
- Pre-Forum Soccer Social — Aug. 2 at Southwest University Park’s Wooftop Deck.
- Golf Tournament — Aug. 3 at Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course with industry partner support.
- Welcome Reception — Featuring the Fiduciary Fizz, sponsored by Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP, and a Kendra Scott jewelry bar.
- All-Members Networking Event — Held at Rio Grande Vineyard & Winery, NM.
Exhibitors
- Presenting:Dimensional Fund Advisors
- Premium:Berman Tabacco, DiCello Levitt LLP
- Visionary:Kendra Scott, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP
- Foundation:Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP, Fort Washington Investment Advisors, Imperial Fund Asset Management, Salem Trust Co., TIAA, Wolf Popper LLP
Sponsors
- Presenting Sponsor:Dimensional Fund Advisors
- Silver Sponsors:TIAA, Wolf Popper LLP
- Fiduciary Fizz: Mocktail Sponsor:Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP
- Lanyard Sponsor:Pomerantz LLP
- Room Key Sponsors:DiCello Levitt LLP, WCM Investment Management
- Bronze Sponsors:Blockstream, Constitution Capital Partners, Fengate Asset Management, The Riverside Company
Event-Specific Sponsors:
Event-Specific Sponsors:
- Pre-Forum Soccer Social: ABS Global Investments, American Century Investments, Berman Tabacco, Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP, DiCello Levitt LLP, Imperial Fund Asset Management, PGIM Fixed Income, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, Saxena White, William Blair
- Golf Tournament:American Century Investments, ANOS Capital, Barrow Hanley Global Investors, Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP, Blockstream, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Meketa Investment Group, Schroders
- Contest Prizes:SAGE, Imperial Fund Asset Management
A Memorable Host City
El Paso Mayor Renard U. Johnson, the city’s first Black mayor, welcomed attendees with remarks celebrating public employees and highlighting the city’s role in cross-border economic development and community resilience.
Capture the Moments
Browse the Facebook Photo Album for photos from the event.
Looking Ahead
Save the date for the 2026 TEXPERS Annual Conference: April 26–29, in Galveston, Texas. Stay updated via TEXPERS.org.
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