Wisconsin Retirement System names John Voelker as secretary

The Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) has promoted John Voelker to secretary for the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), effective April 5.

Voelker has served as the deputy secretary at ETF since 2014. Prior to that, he led the Wisconsin Court System as the director of state courts for 11 years and also served as executive assistant to the chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

“John is uniquely qualified for this position,” said Wayne Koessl, board chair. “The board is confident John will uphold the high standards required to safeguard the integrity of the trust and develop and deliver quality services to members of the Wisconsin Retirement System.”

The WRS is the ninth-largest public pension fund in the United States and the 25th-largest in the world. As of Nov. 30, the WRS has more than $126 billion in assets, which are under the management of the State of Wisconsin Investment Board.

Voelker will succeed Bob Conlin, who w