Ray Higgins has been named the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi’s sixth executive director in its 66-year history.
Higgins joins Mississippi PERS from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, where he has served since 2011 as deputy commissioner for finance and administration. He will take the reins as executive director, effective July 1. Pat Robertson, Mississippi PERS’ executive director since 2005, is set to retire June 30.
Higgins also has served as director of governmental affairs for the Georgia Department of Driver Services (2009–2011); deputy director/COO for the Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia (2006–2009); fiscal officer and treasurer and budget administrator for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (2001–2006); fiscal officer for the Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts (2000–2001); and budget analyst for the Georgia Legislative Budget Office (1998–2000).
Mississippi PERS’ executive director is responsible for leading the retirement system and conducting all business for the system, which includes Mississippi PERS, the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System, the Municipal Retirement Systems, the Supplemental Legislative Retirement Plan, Mississippi Deferred Compensation Plan & Trust, the Optional Retirement Plan, the Retiree Medical Insurance Plan, the Retiree Group Term Life Insurance Plan, and any other area of operation of the system.
