The LAGERS Board of Trustees is the governing body charged with ensuring the LAGERS system is appropriately managed. The board’s primary duties are serving the members and beneficiaries and protecting system assets. Trustees approve strategy and policy and delegate day-to-day management of the retirement system to staff. The board is made up of three elected member trustees, three elected employer trustees, and one appointed citizen trustee. This October, the following three seats will be up for election:
– Member Trustee (full term to 12/31/2028)
– Member Trustee (partial term to 12/31/2025)
– Employer Trustee (full term to 12/31/2028)
Below are the declared candidates for this year’s election, which will be held during the LAGERS Annual Meeting on October 24, 2024. No additional nominations will be accepted from the floor.
Member Trustee (full term to 12/31/2028)
Paul Gatewood, City of St. Joseph (Police Department Evidence Manager)
Paul Gatewood has more than 30 years of experience as a law enforcement professional with the St. Joseph Police Department, starting as a detective before moving into his current role as a property and evidence manager. Paul was instrumental in advocating for the city’s participation in public pension plans. He also has served as chairman of the St. Joseph Police Department private pension for several years.
“I have worked with LAGERS for the last ten years as an employee representative, and I have served on the Legislative Advisory Committee for several years. LAGERS is a fantastic organization, and every organization needs to continue to grow. I believe with my experience, I can help with that growth. I initiated a change of St. Joseph Civilians pension from a 1.2% multiplier to a 2% multiplier, and then the Police and Fire department from a 2% multiplier to a 2.5% multiplier,” Gatewood said. “I look forward to working with other entities across the state and will make myself available to all members.”
Drew Hilpert, Springfield Utilities (Deputy General Counsel)
Drew Hilpert is an attorney with more than 23 years of legal experience, eighteen years of which has been with local governments. Drew currently serves as Deputy General Counsel for the City Utilities of Springfield and worked as an attorney (including as City Attorney) for the city of Jefferson City from 2006-2016. Throughout his career, Drew has participated in professional committees, including The Missouri Bar’s Legislative Review Committee, The Missouri Bar’s Local Government Section, and Leadership Springfield. He also served as a board member and Chief Legal Counsel for the Jefferson City Firefighter Pension fund before it transitioned into LAGERS.
“My primary motivation for seeking a position on the LAGERS Board is to help protect the pension benefits that allow us to continue serving the public. As public servants, we understand that there are private-sector jobs that pay more, but the satisfaction we get from helping others and making a difference can help offset that. Our work truly matters,” Hilpert said. “Maintaining strong retirement benefits is critical to helping retain talented public employees now and in the future. I am passionate about supporting the long-term financial well-being of our members and believe my passion and experience will benefit all of my fellow employees within the LAGERS system.”
Elise Hull, City of Liberty (Fire Captain)
Elise Hull is a dedicated emergency response professional with a background of 17 years in firefighting. Currently serving as fire captain for the city of Liberty’s fire department, Elise has participated in IAFF Local 42 on numerous committees and as a board representative for the Liberty Fire Department. She has also worked as an adjunct fire instructor for Johnson County Community College.
“I am motivated to seek a position on the LAGERS Board because I believe in the importance of strong, sustainable retirement systems and the critical role that they play in ensuring financial security for public employees,” Hull said. “I believe in empowering our members through education, and I plan to help members understand their benefits and make informed decisions about their retirement. I will advocate for adopting innovative approaches and best practices to pension management and foster collaboration and inclusivity, ensuring every voice is heard and valued. I want to contribute my skills and experience to help enhance LAGERS’ mission and contribute to the stewardship of a fund that supports those who serve our communities.”
Chad Unterreiner, City of Mexico (Director of Parks and Recreation)
Chad Unterreiner has more than 10 years of experience serving local government entities. He currently works as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Mexico, and since 2012, has served as Past Legislative Chair Region 1 for the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association. Chad has observed LAGERS board meetings and served on the Legislative Advisory Committee for more than two years and believes in creating a strong future for all LAGERS members.
“Most of my career has been spent working for smaller LAGERS municipalities with smaller budgets. While many current board members represent larger employers, it is crucial that we have the perspective of employers of different sizes. We all share a common goal to ensure our pension system works for everyone, regardless of size or location,” Unterreiner said. “My commitment to transparency, ethical decision-making, and innovative solutions will ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of our retirement system. I am passionate about serving all our members and am ready to work collaboratively to enhance the benefits and services we provide.”
Sandy Walker, City of Poplar Bluff (Warehouse Foreman)
Sandy Walker has 41 years of experience as a warehouse foreman for the city of Poplar Bluff and has been a member of LAGERS since 1983. In 2018, Sandy was elected as a Member Trustee to the LAGERS Board of Trustees, where she helped members learn about how LAGERS helps to support a secure retirement by partnering with Missouri’s local governments.
“As a member trustee, I’m proud to work in the field just like many of you, facing the same challenges and understanding firsthand the importance of the decisions we make. During my time on the board, I’ve always done my best to put the needs of our members first even when it wasn’t easy. Serving as a LAGERS Trustee has been a responsibility I take seriously, and I’ve worked hard to ensure that your voice is represented in every discussion,” Walker said. “If re-elected, I will continue to bring that same dedication, always keeping in mind the diverse interests of both LAGERS members and employers. I’m committed to making thoughtful, balanced decisions that protect the benefits we’ve all worked so hard for.”
Member Trustee (partial term to 12/31/2025)
Mark Perkins, City of Creve Coeur (City Administrator)
Mark currently serves as the city administrator for the city of Creve Coeur, a position he has held since 1999. In his role for the city, Mark is responsible for the oversight of city departments, personnel, communications, as well as the implementation of council policy, and the development of fiscal planning and capital improvement programs. Mark was unanimously appointed to the board in June to fill a vacancy left by Arby Todd of Lee’s Summit. Mark will serve in his role until the next regularly scheduled board election in October of 2024.
“As City Administrator, I understand the importance of maintaining a reliable and robust retirement plan in order to recruit and retain dedicated workers for our communities. I also understand the need to ensure that the plan is fiscally sound and will remain so for future generations of members and the communities they serve,” Perkins said. “I look forward to utilizing my experience to help LAGERS retain its status as one of the top statewide municipal retirement systems in the country.”
Employer Trustee (full term to 12/31/2028)
Megan Page, Pettis County (Pettis County Probation and Parole Citizens Advisory Board)
Megan Page has worked in both the public and private sectors throughout her career. She is a local business owner, and currently serves as a board member for the State Fair Community College Foundation and president for the Boys and Girls Club. From 2017-2020, she served as an elected official for the Sedalia City Council.
“During my tenure as an elected official for the city of Sedalia, our employees were transitioned from a non-LAGERS retirement system to LAGERS. I saw firsthand the value of LAGERS for all our employees and knew it was in the best interest of our employees. I bring not only a wide variety of experience, including finance and business but also the knowledge from serving as a city councilman. I understand the value of doing what’s best for employees while also knowing the budget and finance side must align,” Page said. “As a LAGERS employer trustee, I will continue the work that has created the great foundation from which the system operates. The protection of the retirement program from outside influences is an ongoing issue, and we need to stay vigilant.”
Bruce Williams, High Ridge Fire Protection District (Fire Board Member)
Bruce Williams served as an active trustee of the Firefighter’s Retirement System of St. Louis for the majority of his 35-year career as a firefighter. He retired as a captain and was elected by retired St. Louis firefighters to serve as their trustee to that same system. He also serves as an employer trustee on the High Ridge FPD frozen plan. While serving as an officer of the Missouri State Council of Firefighters, he successfully advocated for beneficial retirement plan changes in the Missouri legislature, including mandatory trustee education and mandatory funding levels. Bruce has also served on the board of the Missouri Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems (MAPERS).
“Every public employee in Missouri deserves the right to retire after a lifelong career in their chosen profession, and that retirement should afford them a decent living. Our job as employers is to help them achieve that goal,” Williams said. “My experience has shown me that the best way to do that is with a properly managed, cost-effective plan. If elected to the Missouri LAGERS Board of Trustees, I will carry out the fiduciary duties of the position and will work to ensure the board makes efficient and cost-effective decisions, which will, in turn, help employers with cost stability and, ultimately, in the recruitment and retention of the best employees.”
