With the new year, there will be major changes in the leadership at the Mass Teachers Retirement System (MTRS). Its Executive Director Erika Glaster will be retiring at the end of 2024. Beginning January 1, Jonathan Osimo, a longtime MTRS employee and current Deputy Executive Director and Chief Benefits Officer, will be succeeding her.
Erika’s retirement marks the end of a 38-year career with the MTRS, dating back to 1986 as a retirement counselor. Over her impressive career, Erika has held several key management positions, starting with Regional Director of the MTRS Western Regional Office that she founded in 1986 and culminating ten years ago when she became Executive Director.
According to Association President Frank Valeri, “Over my years with the Association and before retiring, with PERAC (Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission), I’ve had the privilege of working with Erika and experiencing firsthand the sheer wealth of her knowledge and skills. Her commitment to improving public retirement was unwavering.
”Also, I’m very pleased that she will continue to be working with me on the Special COLA Study Commission next year. I know that her contributions to the Commission will be invaluable.
“On behalf of our Association, we want to take this opportunity to thank you Erika for all of your service to the MTRS membership and the retirement community as a whole. And, best to you on your retirement, and welcome to Mass Retirees – your application is in the mail!”
OSIMO AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As reported above, Deputy Executive Director and Chief Benefits Office Jonathan Osimo will become the new MTRS Executive Director beginning January 1. In certain respects, his career mimics Erika’s, having begun as a retirement counselor in 1997 and serving as Western Regional Director at one time. In his current role as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Benefits Officer, he leads four departments within the member and employer services division.
“As is the case with Erika, I’ve known and worked with Jonathan for years – decades,” continues Valeri. “No question in my mind that the (Teachers Retirement) Board made an excellent appointment to succeed Erika.
“Congrats Jonathan. We look forward to working with you as Executive Director.”