Public pension trustees, administrators, investment professionals, and industry partners from across Texas gathered April 26–29 for the TEXPERS 2026 Annual Conference at the Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort.

The conference welcomed 455 attendees over four days of education, networking, governance discussions, and investment insights focused on strengthening Texas public employee retirement systems.

Attendees stayed on-site at both The San Luis Resort and the Hilton Galveston Island Resort, giving participants convenient access to conference sessions, networking events, and the Exhibit Hall throughout the week. 

Conference Highlights

The conference featured educational sessions and panel discussions covering fiduciary governance, monetary policy, private markets, real estate, cybersecurity, hedge funds, and long-term retirement system strategy.

Networking opportunities included the Welcome Networking Reception, golf tournament, exhibitor activities, and the All-Members’ Networking Event held poolside at The San Luis Resort.

Keynote Address Recap

Daleep Singh, Vice Chair & Chief Global Economist for Public & Private Fixed Income at PGIM

Monday keynote speaker Daleep Singh delivered a global macroeconomic outlook presentation titled, “The Shocks Will Keep Coming: Navigating Markets in a More Fractured, Contested, and Uncertain World.” Singh explored how geopolitical conflict, supply chain disruptions, energy insecurity, technological competition, and trade policy shifts are reshaping the global economy and creating a more volatile investment environment for institutional investors.

His presentation connected the evolving geopolitical landscape to inflation, interest rates, growth expectations, and long-term market risk, while also examining the expanding influence of artificial intelligence investment, global trade realignment, fiscal policy pressures, and emerging geopolitical flashpoints. 

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Weston Wellington, Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors

Weston Wellington presented “Redefining Investment Advice,” a session examining the evolution of finance and investing over the last 75 years through accessible examples and practical insights. Wellington discussed the ideas, research, and innovators that helped reshape modern investment philosophy and challenged long-standing conventional wisdom in portfolio management.

The presentation explored how advances in financial theory and investment strategy continue influencing institutional investor decision-making and the definition of optimal investment advice. Dimensional Fund Advisors also served as the Presenting Sponsor of the TEXPERS 2026 Annual Conference. 

Dimensional did not provide a slide deck for distribution. 

Chris Jones, Ph.D., Head of Solutions and Chief Executive (London) at Graham Capital Management, L.P.

Day Two keynote speaker Dr. Chris Jones presented “Feeling Underdiversified? Can Hedge Funds Really Help?” exploring how traditional equity and bond portfolios are providing less diversification than in previous decades, as correlations and volatility continue to rise.

Jones discussed how many institutional investors and pension systems are reassessing portfolio construction strategies amid changing market dynamics. His presentation examined whether liquid alternative strategies, particularly macro and trend-following hedge fund approaches, may help improve diversification and provide downside protection during periods of market stress.

The session also explored governance, implementation, benchmarking, fee considerations, and portfolio decision-making frameworks for trustees and retirement system staff evaluating alternative investment strategies.

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Jeff Klingelhofer, CFA, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at Aristotle Pacific Capital

Closing keynote speaker Jeff Klingelhofer presented “Rapidly Shifting Backdrop of Monetary Policy in the U.S.: What Rates Mean From an Investor and Consumer Standpoint.” The session examined the evolving monetary policy environment in the United States, the Federal Reserve’s relationship with the executive branch, and common misconceptions about interest rates from both investor and consumer perspectives.

Klingelhofer discussed how changing economic conditions, inflation concerns, productivity growth, and shifts in market expectations are influencing investor decision-making and portfolio construction. The presentation encouraged attendees to rethink traditional assumptions about preserving value, generating income, and achieving long-term returns in a rapidly changing market landscape.

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*An email with a complete list of available links to presentations was sent out to registered attendees.

Conference Photo Gallery

View additional conference photos on Facebook:

Presenting Sponsor

• Dimensional Fund Advisors

Thank You to Our Sponsors

TEXPERS thanks the following organizations for supporting the 2026 Annual Conference:

Presenting Sponsor

• Dimensional Fund Advisors

Gold Sponsors

• PGIM Fixed Income
• Graham Capital Management
• Aristotle

Annual Sponsor

• Wolf Popper

Silver Sponsors

• PPM America
• Baillie Gifford
• The Holdsworth Group
• Labaton
• AEW
• Strategic Value Partners
• Nebari
• Cohen & Steers
• DLA Piper
• Texas A&M Maritime Business Administration

Networking Reception Break Sponsor

• Moody Bank

Room Keycard Sponsor

• Scott + Scott

Event App Sponsor

• BLB&G

Lanyard Sponsor

• Pomerantz

All-Members’ Networking Reception Cup Sponsor

• WCM Investment Management

Bronze Sponsors

• Garcial Hamilton & Associates
• Westwood Group
• RFS Consulting LLC
• Blockstream Capital Partners
• New York Life Investment Management
• PennantPark
• SAGE
• Sagard Real Estate
• Zenzic Capital
• Stuart Portfolio
• MetLife
• CIFC Asset Management
• Motley Rice

TEXPERS also extends appreciation to all exhibitors, speakers, moderators, Associate Advisors, and professional partners whose support helped make the conference a success.

Golf Tournament Sponsors

• Frost Bank (Birdie Sponsor)
• Robert Harrell, Inc. (Hole Sponsor)
• Berman Tabacco (Hole Sponsor)
• Blockstream Capital Partners (Hole 6 Sponsor)

Exhibitors

• National Cybersecurity Alliance
• Berman Tabacco
• Argent Financial
• Pomerantz
• Aristotle Capital
• DiCello Levitt
• Carlyle
• Dimensional
• Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd
• Deerpath Capital
• Graham Capital

Looking Ahead

TEXPERS thanks all attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and volunteers who participated in this year’s conference on Galveston Island.

Planning is already underway for the TEXPERS 2026 Summer Educational Forum, scheduled for Aug. 2–4, 2026, at the Westin San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio.

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