Robert Clark, of Lookout Mountain, Tn., has been named chief investment officer for the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS).
Mr. Clark, originally from Jackson, has worked since 2012 as portfolio manager with Southeastern Trust Company in Chattanooga. He will take the reins as PERS CIO next Tuesday.
“We’re excited to have Mr. Clark join our team, and I believe he will serve our members and the state of Mississippi well with his more than two decades of experience in financial services and investments,” said PERS Executive Director Ray Higgins.
Mr. Clark earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the United States Naval Academy and his Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University’s Babcock Graduate Management School. A holder of the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and a certified financial planner practitioner, Mr. Clark has held series 7, 24 and 66 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority licenses.
His investment portfolio work includes serving as chief financial officer, Secure Waters, Inc.; vice president, BB&T Wealth Management; Wealth Services team leader, SunTrust Bank; and vice president, AmSouth Bank (now Regions).
As CIO, Mr. Clark will be responsible for planning and directing the activities of the PERS Investment Department to ensure the prudent management of the investment assets. Under the general direction of, and through accountability to the executive director, the CIO initiates investment-related programs and procedures in accordance with state and federal laws governing PERS.