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Tristan N. Gearhart

Local Government Division Candidate

Chief Planning and Financial Officer for Colorado Springs Utilities

 

Education/Special Courses/Certifications

Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, emphasis in Accounting

Colorado Certified Public Accountant

Employment History

Colorado Springs Utilities, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2009–Present

  • Chief Planning and Financial Officer
  • Fuels and Purchase Power Manager
  • Interim General Manager of Financial Services
  • Manager of Accounting
  • Principal Financial Analyst
  • Lead Analyst

Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc., Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2006–2009

  • Financial Analyst II

DLMG Accountants, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 2002–2006

  • Staff Accountant

Organizational Affiliations/Achievements

Colorado Springs Utilities Foundation Board of Directors, currently serving as Treasurer of this charitable organization

Responses to Key Questions

Candidate responses were limited to 100-150 words; responses have not been edited by PERA.

Interest in Serving as a PERA Trustee

Please briefly describe why you are interested in being elected to the PERA Board of Trustees.

I have been a participant in the Local Government Division of PERA for 14 years working for an organization that is one of the largest participants in the division. I feel my knowledge, skills, and educational training put me in a place where I can advocate for the best interest and sustainability of the plan for all of the division’s members.

Challenges/Opportunities Facing PERA

Please describe what you consider as areas of challenge/opportunity facing PERA and the Board’s role in addressing these issues.

Being able to balance contributions from members and payments to retirees a higher inflationary environment with the potential for recessionary effects provides unique challenge for PERA to mitigate and perform through.

The Role of a Trustee

What do you see as the role of a Trustee on the PERA Board?

As a trustee I would have a fiduciary responsibility to work for outcomes and results from the PERA fund that maintain and strengthen its financial position for the continued benefit of all members.