The ERS has Appointed a New Executive Director & Secretary
Patrick McClain has been appointed by CMERS Annuity & Pension Board to the position of Executive Director & Secretary, to succeed the long serving incumbent, Jerry Allen, upon his planned retirement on January 1, 2026. Patrick is a highly adaptable organizational leader and seasoned public pension attorney, combining over 15 years of experience as a distinguished military commander and CMERS General Counsel. In addition to earning a Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University in 2007 and a Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in 2011, Patrick has attended the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (2008), Naval Justice School (2012), and U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College (2024). Patrick began his career in the Milwaukee City Attorney’s Office in 2015. In that role, he managed all legal matters for the $6 billion CMERS pension system, advising the Annuity and Pension Board on fiduciary governance, regulatory compliance, benefit administration, and litigation. He played a key role in drafting authoritative legal opinions, guiding legislative changes—including 2023 Wisconsin Act 12—and protecting ERS interests during one of the most significant legislative plan overhauls in decades. Simultaneously, Patrick served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, retiring in 2024 as a Civil Affairs Officer with the rank of Major. He led international humanitarian and civic assistance missions, coordinating directly with local leaders to aid civilian populations and strengthen U.S. partnerships. Patrick’s career reflects a rare blend of legal expertise, executive leadership, and operational resilience. He looks forward to leveraging this dual-track experience to promote continued pension plan stability and fiduciary excellence for CMERS members and beneficiaries. CMERS Board of Trustees and staff congratulate Patrick on his promotion and are confident he will succeed in his new role.
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