During Ray’s tenure, SoonerSave has had significant growth reaching over $1 billion in assets. Ray was also instrumental in creating the Deferred Savings Incentive Plan providing a state match to employees’ savings. More recently, he helped implement the new Pathfinder Plan, which opened in 2015. His contributions have made these plans strong, so Oklahoma state employees could have the opportunity to achieve a secure and lasting retirement.
On the national level, Ray made an impact serving on the Executive Board and as President of the National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators. During that service, Ray had the honor of testifying before two congressional committees on retirement savings. This resulted in federal law changes, which are still relevant today benefiting defined contribution plans.
At the August meeting, the OPERS Board of Trustees adopted a resolution honoring the service of Ray and declared September 30, 2020 as “Ray Pool Day” at OPERS. Joe Fox, OPERS Executive Director, commented, “Ray is an employee with great integrity, humility and humor who has always exemplified the role of a public servant setting an example throughout his 30 years of dedicated service.”
The staff in the Defined Contribution Plans Division have enjoyed working and growing under Ray’s leadership. We wish him a long retirement filled with relaxation, happiness and new adventures.