SBCERA Selects Thomas Kim as Deputy Chief Investment Officer

We are pleased to announce that Thomas Kim has been selected to serve as our Deputy Chief Investment Officer.  This is a newly created role designed to support the long-term leadership and succession planning of our investment program.

Thomas joined SBCERA in 2020 as an Investment Officer and was promoted to Senior Investment Officer in July 2023.  During his time with SBCERA, he has played a key role in overseeing manager relationships, evaluating new and existing investment opportunities, and supporting the implementation of our asset allocation framework and overall portfolio risk management.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve SBCERA and support the long-term financial security of our members and beneficiaries,” Thomas said.  “I look forward to building on the strong foundation of our investment program and continuing to work alongside our talented investment team, leadership, and Board to support SBCERA’s mission.”

In his new role, Thomas will help lead the execution of our investment strategy and work closely with our Chief Investment Officer Donald Pierce and the broader investment team to ensure continued strength and continuity in our investment operations.

“Thomas has earned the respect of our trustees and investment team through his insight, discipline, and steady leadership,” said Debby Cherney, Chief Executive Officer of SBCERA.  “He knows our investment program well and his work reflects the analytical rigor, transparency, and clear communication that are essential to strong fiduciary governance.  I have great confidence in Thomas and our very capable investment team.”

Thomas brings more than two decades of experience in institutional investing.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yale University and a master’s degree in finance from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.  He has also been recognized within the institutional investment community, including being named to the 2023 AI-CIO Class of NextGens and a 2022 Institutional Investor Rising Star.

Earlier this year, Chief Investment Officer Donald Pierce announced his intention to retire later in 2026 after 25 years of service to SBCERA. During his tenure, he helped modernize and diversify our investment program, introducing strategies such as international private equity, emerging market debt, and options while strengthening the long-term framework that guides our portfolio.

“It has been a privilege to serve SBCERA and its members,” Pierce said.  “I’m proud of the investment program we’ve built, the strategies we’ve thoughtfully introduced, and—most importantly—the highly skilled team that will carry this work forward.  Thomas is an outstanding investment professional and leader, and I have great confidence in his ability to help guide our program into the future.”

Pierce will continue to serve as Chief Investment Officer during the transition period to support continuity and knowledge transfer.

About SBCERA

The San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association (SBCERA) is an independent, defined benefit pension plan providing retirement, disability, and survivor benefits on behalf of 17 employers throughout California, comprised of over 52,000 members and beneficiaries.  Proudly serving those who serve San Bernardino communities, SBCERA provides a secure retirement—both for those already enjoying retirement and those who will retire in the years to come.  To learn more, please visit SBCERA.org.

For media inquiries, please contact: Olivia Applegate, Director of Communications & Stakeholder Relations at oapplegate@SBCERA.org or 909.341.0651.