Celebrating Excellence!

THOMAS RUTLEDGE KERN 360/Workday Implementation

We are proud to recognize the work and expertise Thomas Rutledge has provided to the
KERN 360/Workday implementation. His knowledge of the county payroll systems and
KCERA retirement administration will help to ensure a successful implementation of
KERN 360. His guidance has been instrumental in driving progress, smoothing the roll-out,
and positioning Kern County for long-term success with this modern payroll platform.

PATRICK TREVINO Accountant II Promotion

We are proud to recognize Patrick Trevino on his well-earned promotion to KCERA
Accountant II. Since joining KCERA, Patrick has taken on complex responsibilities including
retiree payroll, bi-weekly disbursements, and reconciliation of thousands of pension
payments. He contributed greatly to implementing KCERA’s new in-house Accounts Payable
process and has consistently expanded his skills through collaboration and problem-solving.
Patrick’s diligence, growth, and dedication highlight his bright future with KCERA.

NEIL DEVERA CISA Certification

Congratulations Neil DeVera on obtaining your CISA Certification. Your dedication, hard
work, and commitment have made a lasting impact on our team and the members we
serve. We are grateful for your professionalism and the positive spirit you bring to the
workplace every day. Thank you for your service and for being an inspiration to us all;
here's to many more years of success together!

RAFAEL JIMENEZ Outstanding Performance

We are proud to recognize Rafa Jimenez on his well-earned promotion to KCERA
Investment Officer. Since joining KCERA, Rafa has consistently demonstrated
exceptional dedication, analytical acumen, and a collaborative spirit. His thoughtful
approach to research, strong work ethic, and keen insight into complex investment
strategies have made a meaningful impact on our team and the financial security of
our members. We are excited to see him take on this new role and continue
contributing to the success of the investment program.

KRISTEN MCDONALD Exceptional Effort

We are proud to shine the spotlight on Kristen McDonald’s exceptional effort to
improve our Medical Advisor Report review process. Faced with a backlog of reports
pending legal approval, Kristen worked diligently with our third-party partner, MMRO, to
improve the process. Her proactive approach elevated the quality of each report and
accelerated the workflow, enabling a higher number of member cases to advance to
the Board for final decision-making. With Kristen’s help, the Legal team has cleared the
backlog and is now current on the reviews—ensuring timelier resolutions for our
members.

MEMBER SERVICES TEAM Exceptional Effort

Each year, March through May payroll brings a surge in retirement applications—what
we’ve come to call our own version of March Madness. During this particularly
demanding time, the Member Services team once again rose to the challenge with
professionalism, efficiency, and genuine care for our members. Their ability to handle
the increased volume of retirements while maintaining a high standard of service is a
testament to their dedication and teamwork. Congratulations to the entire team for
their exceptional effort and commitment to supporting KCERA members during this
critical transition in their lives.

ACTIVE PAYROLL TEAM Outstanding Performance

Congratulations to the Active Payroll Team for their outstanding performance and dedication
in maintaining the timeliness of Purchase of Service request responses. Over the past two
years, the team has consistently completed requests in under 60 days—usually achieving
turnaround times of less than 30 days. Their success is a direct result of strong collaboration,
effective cross-training, and a team-oriented approach that ensures seamless support during
high-priority or time-intensive requests. This commitment to excellence reflects the team's
professionalism and collective effort.

MARITZA RODRIGUEZ Certified Fraud Examiner

Congratulations Maritza Rodriguez on earning her Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certification. A Certified Fraud Examiner is a professional designation earned by individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the prevention, detection, and investigation of fraud. CFEs are trained to utilize specialized knowledge and skills to identify, analyze, and resolve complex financial crimes and fraudulent activities.

RAFAEL JIMENEZ Chartered Financial Analyst

Congratulations Rafael Jimenez on earning his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification. The CFA professional certification is offered by the US-based CFA Institute to investment and financial professionals. The program teaches a wide range of subjects related to advanced investment analysis and provides a generalist knowledge in other areas of finance.

FINANCE TEAM Public Pension Standards Award For Funding and Administration

Congratulations to everyone on the KCERA Finance Team for their work on the 2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). They received an award in recognition of meeting professional standards for plan funding and administration, as set forth in the Public Pension Standards.

IRMA CHAVEZ Five Years at KCERA

Congratulations Irma Chavez on reaching your five-year milestone at the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Association. Your dedication, hard work, and commitment have made a lasting impact on our team and the members we serve. We are grateful for your professionalism and the positive spirit you bring to the workplace every day. Thank you for your service and for being an inspiration to us all; here's to many more years of success together!