Public Safety Personnel Retirement System
State of Arizona
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Christian Palmer
Phone: 602-296-3736
PSPRS names James Mack as system administrator
Chair McCarty: Mack the ‘right fit’ for agency’s future
ARIZONA – In a unanimous 9-0 vote, the PSPRS Board of Trustees approved a contract to hire James Mack as the agency’s next administrator. The Louisiana pension director brings more than 25 years of experience in public pension, treasury and investment management.
After leading the administration of the Employees’ Retirement System of Baton Rouge (CPERS), Mack will assume leadership of PSPRS as the agency continues to improve its plan funding levels, stakeholder engagement and implementation of its new STARS pension administration system.
“James Mack has the right experience, skills and demeanor to lead PSPRS and foster collaboration with employers and stakeholders,” said PSPRS Board of Trustees Chairman Scott McCarty. “He is the right fit to work with this agency’s staff, build on our progress, and continue the improvement of service to our members, retirees and employers.”
In joining PSPRS after a nationwide search, Mack will manage agency operations that serve approximately 60,000 public safety, corrections, elected and judicial branch members and retirees associated with more than 300 employers. Mack will assume the top PSPRS staff leadership position from Interim Administrator and General Counsel Bret Parke, who will continue to serve as general counsel.
“I am honored to help write the next chapter of PSPRS’s story, building upon the incredible momentum the system has established in recent years while looking for innovative ways to ensure continued success well into the future,” said Mack.
Prior to his role managing the Baton Rouge pension system that covers both civilian and public safety employees, Mack served as a portfolio manager with the Louisiana Department of Treasury, where he managed more than $10 billion in state trust and general funds and played a key role in investment strategy and liquidity management. His career also includes roles in hedge fund management, investment consulting and mergers and acquisitions.
Mack graduated from Louisiana State University with an undergraduate degree in marketing and earned an MBA in Finance from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston. In addition to his educational accolades, he currently holds the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation. Philanthropy and community have always been important aspects of his life, as he volunteers with a number of non-profit and community organizations.
The process for selecting the new system administrator started in July 2025 with the creation of a trustee subcommittee chaired by Trustee Randie Stein. Trustees Brian Moore and Daren Wunderle were also appointed to the subcommittee, which worked with recruitment firm CBIZ Talent & Compensation Solutions.