From June 1st to the 4th, the Association joined the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems (MACRS) at its 2025 Annual Kevin J. Regan Spring Conference. The event, which brought together approximately 500 participants, served as an important opportunity for retirement board members, staff, and affiliates to receive updates, engage in continuing education, and network with colleagues from across the Commonwealth.
The Association participated in two panels during the three-day event. First, Nancy McGovern presented on behalf of the Association as part of the Legislative Panel, outlining the 2025–2026 legislative proposals filed by the Association.
Association CEO Shawn Duhamel spoke on a separate panel focused on the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The panel also included Ed Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF); Tim Lee, Executive Director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association; and Tom Lussier, Administrator of the Public Sector Healthcare Roundtable & President of The Lussier Group. The group discussed the bipartisan effort that led to the repeal being passed by both chambers of Congress and signed into law by President Biden in January 2025.
A highlight of the three-day event is the recognition of an outstanding retirement board administrator by the MACRS Executive Board. The 2025 award went to Lynn Retirement Board Executive Director Gary Brenner, who has been serving at the Board for over 48 years. According to Association President, Frank Valeri, who has known him personally and professionally for many years is well aware of Gary’s outstanding reputation, “I have had the pleasure of working with Gary in both settings, he was always referred to as one of the best administrators by a number of PERAC staff who interacted with Gary while I was serving at the agency. Now serving as a Trustee on the Lynn Board, I can completely understand why the oversight agency staff viewed Gary as one of the best administrators in the state.” In addition to his professional reputation, he is also a respected a long-time basketball referee in the greater Lynn area, IAABO, Board 130 for over 50 years.