2025
California Association of Public Information Officials
(CAPIO)
- SBCERA is honored to have received statewide recognition
for our commitment to effective communications, one of our
strategic pillars, by CAPIO. The CAPIO EPIC
Awards program recognizes the most creative and
effective efforts in the areas of communication. SBCERA took
home the Award of Distinction for our We Are SBCERA video series. This
award is presented for projects that exceed industry
standards in quality and achievement. This series is more
than a project. Focusing on the heart of our organization, this
campaign features the people who define SBCERA. This
recognition reflects that commitment and support our efforts in
delivering consistent, clear, and helpful messaging.
2024
PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA
received a Polaris Award from the Public Relations Society
of America (PRSA) – Inland Empire Chapter for exemplary public
relations efforts in our Quick Tip
Video Series. The PRSA Polaris
Awards program recognizes exemplary public relations
efforts that successfully incorporate sound research, planning,
implementation, and evaluation. This award represents the
highest standards of performance in the public relations and
communications profession within the Inland Empire.
Chief Investment Officer 2024 Power 100 (CIO)
- Chief Investment Officer Don Pierce, has been
named to Chief Investment
Officer Magazine’s 2024 Power 100 list of top
investment officers. They note: “Those who have made it to
the CIO seat and on this 2024 list mostly, and perhaps crucially,
continue to guide their funds through myriad challenges the world
throws at them and are disciplined enough to navigate whatever is
ahead.”
Markets Group 2024 Elite 100 CIOs - Chief
Investment Officer Don Pierce, has made Markets
Group’s 2024 Elite 100 CIOs list of top investment
officers. They note that the selected individuals “have
navigated mission-driven mandates and unique investment
challenges with wisdom, poise, often maintaining a steady course
amid external pressures”.
Government Finance Officers Association
(GFOA) - SBCERA received GFOA’s Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for
the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
California Association of Public Information Officials
(CAPIO)
- SBCERA is honored to have received statewide recognition
for our commitment to effective communications, one of our
strategic pillars, by CAPIO. The CAPIO EPIC
Awards program recognizes the most creative and
effective efforts in the areas of communication. SBCERA took home
the Award of Distinction for our Quick Tip Video
Series and Life After Retirement Newsletter.
This award is presented for projects that exceed industry
standards in quality and achievement. This recognition
reflects that commitment and support our efforts in delivering
consistent, clear, and helpful messaging.
2023
PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA
received a Polaris Award from the Public Relations Society
of America (PRSA) – Inland Empire Chapter for exemplary public
relations efforts in the Factors Used to
Calculate Retirement video. The PRSA Polaris
Awards program recognizes exemplary public relations
efforts that successfully incorporate sound research, planning,
implementation, and evaluation. This award represents the
highest standards of performance in the public relations and
communications profession within the Inland Empire.
Chief Investment Officer 2023 Power 100 (CIO)
- Chief Investment Officer Don Pierce, has been
named to Chief Investment Officer Magazine’s 2023 Power
100 list of top investment officers. They note: “It is no
simple task to foresee the future. Yet in reviewing our Power 100
list, one thing is for certain: Those who have made it to the CIO
seat and on this 2023 list mostly, and perhaps crucially,
continue to guide their funds through volatile times and are
disciplined enough to navigate whatever is ahead.”
Chief Investment Officer’s 2023 NextGens (CIO)
- SBCERA’s Senior Investment Officers, Amit
Thanki, and Thomas Kim named Chief Investment
Officer Magazine’s (CIO) 2023 Class of “NextGens”! Chief
Investment Officer’s 2023 NextGens are allocators who stand
to become chief investment officers themselves someday, and are
known for their financial knowledge, interpersonal skills, and
forward thinking. They have a knack for seeing around corners and
are proven leaders within their organizations and communities.
California Association of Public Information Officials
(CAPIO) -
SBCERA received top statewide recognition for our
commitment to effective communications, by the California
Association of Public Information Officials
(CAPIO). The CAPIO
EPIC Awards program recognizes the most creative and
effective efforts in the areas of communication. EPIC Awards
honor work that transcends innovation and craft – work that made
a lasting impact. SBCERA’s Factors Used to
Calculate Retirement video received an Excellence in
Public Information & Communications (EPIC) Award. This award
represents the highest standards of performance in government
communications throughout California.
2022
Chief Investment Officer 2022 Power 100
- Chief Investment Officer Don Pierce, named to
Chief Investment Officer Magazine’s 2022 Power 100 list
of top investment officers. They note: “Leadership is most
critical in turbulent times. In 2022, it was crucial for funds to
hold to their investment convictions and their asset allocation
plans. CIOs were called on to protect and guide their funds, use
their authority to create positive results and share their
experience to help others, collaborate and bring new ideas to
light. Leadership takes on many forms. This year, for our annual
Power 100 list of CIO allocators, it is in the form of gravitas,
adaptability, tenure, assets under management, and
change-making.”
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) -
For the 25th year in a row, SBCERA received GFOA’s Certificate of
Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the
2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.
Institutional Investor’s 2022 Rising Stars
- SBCERA’s Investment Officer, Thomas Kim was named one of
Institutional
Investor’s 2022 Rising Stars at the 5th Annual
Allocators’ Choice Awards in New York, along with nine others
from around the U.S. Institutional Investor’s editorial team
chose the rising starts from a pool of talented allocators by
their peers, leadership, and industry experts. Honored for this
immediate impact on SBCERA’s innovative team and his efforts in
building strategic partnerships, while growing its
geographical footprint.
California Association of Public Information Officials
(CAPIO)
- SBCERA received top statewide honors for our commitment to
effective communications by the California Association of Public
Information Officials (CAPIO). The CAPIO Epic Awards program
recognizes the most creative and effective efforts in areas of
communication and honors work that transcends innovation and
craft. SBCERA’s website redesign project received an Excellence
in Public Information & Communications (EPIC) Award and a Best in
Show Award. Our
strategic communications plan and
retirement consultation guide received Awards of Distinction.
Both awards represent the highest standards of performance in
government communications throughout California.
Communicator of the Year – SBCERA’s Director of
Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Olivia Applegate was named
Communicator of the Year by the California Association of
Public Information Officials (CAPIO). Honored for her exceptional
leadership and excellence in strategic communications, Olivia has
raised the bar in public communications. Her innovative approach,
and forward-thinking have elevated SBCERA’s communications
efforts to be one of the most active in the pension industry,
setting a new standard for excellence.
2021
PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA
was recognized with three Polaris Awards from the Public
Relations Society of America – Inland Empire Chapter (PRSA-IE).
The Polaris was awarded for SBCERA’s Strategic
Communications Plan, eNewsletter Campaigns “Journey to
Retirement” and “Life After Retirement”, and Retirement
Consultation Guide.
Government Finance Officers Association
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting for the 2020 Annual Comprehensive
Financial Report (ACFR). This marks the
24th consecutive year SBCERA has received this award. SBCERA
also received a GFOA Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for
the 2020 Popular Annual
Financial Report (PAFR).
Asset International’s Chief Investment Officer
(aiCIO) - aiCIO has named Don Pierce, Chief
Investment Officer (CIO) at the San Bernardino County Employees’
Retirement Association (SBCERA) to Chief Investment
Officer Magazine’s 2021 Power 100 list of top investment
officers. You can read more about the top CIOs here.
2020
PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA
was recognized with a Polaris Award from the Public Relations
Society of America – Inland Empire Chapter (PRSA-IE). The Polaris
was awarded for excellence in our recent Website Redesign
project.
Government Finance Officers Association
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting for the 2019 Annual Comprehensive
Financial Report (ACFR). This marks the 23rd consecutive
year SBCERA has received this award. SBCERA also received a GFOA
Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for the 2019 Popular Annual
Financial Report (PAFR).
2019
Government Finance Officers Association
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting for the 2018 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR), “Journey to the Top.” This marks the
22nd consecutive year SBCERA has received this award. SBCERA also
received a GFOA Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for
the 2018 Popular
Annual Financial Report (PAFR).
2018
PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA
was recognized with a Polaris Award from the Public Relations
Society of America – Inland Empire Chapter (PRSA-IE). The Polaris
was awarded for SBCERA’s 2017 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR), “MVP.”
Government Finance Officers Association
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting for the 2017 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR). This marks the 21st consecutive year
SBCERA has received this award. SBCERA also received a GFOA
Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for the 2017 Popular Annual Financial
Report (PAFR).
California Association of Public Information Officials
(CAPIO) Excellence in Communications Awards
- SBCERA was recognized with an Award of Distinction for the
Live Chat feature on our website.
The American Advertising Federation – Inland
Empire: SBCERA and our graphic design partner, Spencer
Lewis Marketing Group, won a Silver American Advertising Award
for the 2017
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “MVP.” We also
won Bronze American Advertising Awards for the 2017 Popular Annual Financial
Report (PAFR) and “1 Year Member-Versary” direct mail
postcard. The competition recognizes those who demonstrate the
highest level of creative excellence in advertising.
2017
PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA
was recognized with a Polaris Award and a Capella Award from the
Public Relations Society of America – Inland Empire Chapter
(PRSA-IE). The Polaris was awarded for SBCERA’s 2016 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR), “SB Strong,” and the Capella Award
was presented for our live “Chat” feature. The annual Polaris
Awards recognize the very best in strategic public relations
programs and tactical execution in the Inland Empire, and
represent the highest standards of performance in the public
relations profession.
Government Finance Officers Association
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial
Reporting for the 2016 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR). This marks the 20th consecutive year
SBCERA has received this award. SBCERA also received its first
GFOA Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for
the 2016 Popular
Annual Financial Report (PAFR).
The American Advertising Federation – Inland
Empire: SBCERA and our graphic design partner, Spencer
Lewis Group, have won a Silver American Advertising Award for
the 2016
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “SB Strong.”
The competition recognizes those who demonstrate the highest
level of creative excellence in advertising.
2016
PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA
was recognized with a Polaris Award and a Capella Award from the
Public Relations Society of America – Inland Empire Chapter
(PRSA-IE). The Polaris was awarded for SBCERA’s 2015 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR), “Enjoying the Fruits of Retirement,”
and the Capella Award was presented for the Quarterly
Review newsletter. The annual Polaris Awards recognize the
very best in strategic public relations programs and tactical
execution in the Inland Empire, and represent the highest
standards of performance in the public relations profession.
California Association of Public Information Officials
(CAPIO) Excellence in Communications Awards for the
“SBCERA Pre-Retirement
Webinar” in the category of Digital/Interactive, eGovernment
Services. CAPIO’s “Excellence in Communication” awards recognize
the most creative and effective efforts in the areas of
communication and marketing campaigns, newsletter production,
photography, special events, writing, website development and
video production.
The American Advertising Federation: Inland
Empire – Bronze American Advertising Award (previously
known as ADDYs) for the 2015 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR), “Enjoying the Fruits of Retirement.”
The competition recognizes those who demonstrate the highest
level of creative excellence in advertising.
2015
PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - The
SBCERA 2014
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “Managing Your
Retirement Resources,” earned a Polaris Award in 2015. According
to PRSA-IE, the annual award recognizes public relations tactics
and programs that successfully incorporate sound research,
planning, execution and evaluation. The Polaris Awards represent
the highest standards of performance in the public relations
profession in the Inland Empire.
Asset International’s Chief Investment Officer
(aiCIO) - aiCIO has named Don Pierce, Chief
Investment Officer (CIO) at the San Bernardino County Employees’
Retirement Association (SBCERA) as #48 in “The New Power 100″
investment officer rankings. “He is ‘one of the most creative and
thoughtful’ public fund investors around, according to his
peers.”
Government Finance Officers
Association - Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2014 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR). This marks the 18th consecutive year
SBCERA has received this award.
The American Advertising Federation: Inland
Empire – Silver and Bronze American Advertising
Awards (previously known as ADDYs) for the 2014 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR) “Managing Your Retirement
Resources” and the summer 2014 Quarterly Review Newsletter,
respectively. The competition recognizes those who demonstrate
the highest level of creative excellence in advertising.
