2024

PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA received a Polaris Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) – Inland Empire Chapter for exemplary public relations efforts in our Quick Tip Video Series. The PRSA Polaris Awards program recognizes exemplary public relations efforts that successfully incorporate sound research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This award represents the highest standards of performance in the public relations and communications profession within the Inland Empire.

Chief Investment Officer 2024 Power 100 (CIO) - Chief Investment Officer Don Pierce, has been named to Chief Investment Officer Magazine’s 2024 Power 100 list of top investment officers. They note: “Those who have made it to the CIO seat and on this 2024 list mostly, and perhaps crucially, continue to guide their funds through myriad challenges the world throws at them and are disciplined enough to navigate whatever is ahead.”

Markets Group 2024 Elite 100 CIOs - Chief Investment Officer Don Pierce, has made Markets Group’s 2024 Elite 100 CIOs list of top investment officers. They note that the selected individuals “have navigated mission-driven mandates and unique investment challenges with wisdom, poise, often maintaining a steady course amid external pressures”.

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) - SBCERA received GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. 

California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) - SBCERA is honored to have received statewide recognition for our commitment to effective communications, one of our strategic pillars, by CAPIO. The CAPIO EPIC Awards program recognizes the most creative and effective efforts in the areas of communication. SBCERA took home the Award of Distinction for our Quick Tip Video Series and Life After Retirement Newsletter. This award is presented for projects that exceed industry standards in quality and achievement. This recognition reflects that commitment and support our efforts in delivering consistent, clear, and helpful messaging.

2023

PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA received a Polaris Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) – Inland Empire Chapter for exemplary public relations efforts in the Factors Used to Calculate Retirement video. The PRSA Polaris Awards program recognizes exemplary public relations efforts that successfully incorporate sound research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This award represents the highest standards of performance in the public relations and communications profession within the Inland Empire.

Chief Investment Officer 2023 Power 100 (CIO) - Chief Investment Officer Don Pierce, has been named to Chief Investment Officer Magazine’s 2023 Power 100 list of top investment officers. They note: “It is no simple task to foresee the future. Yet in reviewing our Power 100 list, one thing is for certain: Those who have made it to the CIO seat and on this 2023 list mostly, and perhaps crucially, continue to guide their funds through volatile times and are disciplined enough to navigate whatever is ahead.”

Chief Investment Officer’s 2023 NextGens (CIO) - SBCERA’s Senior Investment Officers, Amit Thanki, and Thomas Kim named Chief Investment Officer Magazine’s (CIO) 2023 Class of “NextGens”! Chief Investment Officer’s 2023 NextGens are allocators who stand to become chief investment officers themselves someday, and are known for their financial knowledge, interpersonal skills, and forward thinking. They have a knack for seeing around corners and are proven leaders within their organizations and communities.

California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) - SBCERA received top statewide recognition for our commitment to effective communications, by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO). The CAPIO EPIC Awards program recognizes the most creative and effective efforts in the areas of communication. EPIC Awards honor work that transcends innovation and craft – work that made a lasting impact. SBCERA’s Factors Used to Calculate Retirement video received an Excellence in Public Information & Communications (EPIC) Award. This award represents the highest standards of performance in government communications throughout California.

2022

Chief Investment Officer 2022 Power 100 - Chief Investment Officer Don Pierce, named to Chief Investment Officer Magazine’s 2022 Power 100 list of top investment officers. They note: “Leadership is most critical in turbulent times. In 2022, it was crucial for funds to hold to their investment convictions and their asset allocation plans. CIOs were called on to protect and guide their funds, use their authority to create positive results and share their experience to help others, collaborate and bring new ideas to light. Leadership takes on many forms. This year, for our annual Power 100 list of CIO allocators, it is in the form of gravitas, adaptability, tenure, assets under management, and change-making.”

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) - For the 25th year in a row, SBCERA received GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2021 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. 

Institutional Investor’s 2022 Rising Stars - SBCERA’s Investment Officer, Thomas Kim was named one of Institutional Investor’s 2022 Rising Stars at the 5^th Annual Allocators’ Choice Awards in New York, along with nine others from around the U.S. Institutional Investor’s editorial team chose the rising starts from a pool of talented allocators by their peers, leadership, and industry experts. Honored for this immediate impact on SBCERA’s innovative team and his efforts in building strategic partnerships, while growing its geographical footprint.

California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) - SBCERA received top statewide honors for our commitment to effective communications by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO). The CAPIO Epic Awards program recognizes the most creative and effective efforts in areas of communication and honors work that transcends innovation and craft. SBCERA’s website redesign project received an Excellence in Public Information & Communications (EPIC) Award and a Best in Show Award. Our strategic communications plan and retirement consultation guide received Awards of Distinction. Both awards represent the highest standards of performance in government communications throughout California.

Communicator of the Year – SBCERA’s Director of Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Olivia Applegate was named Communicator of the Year by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO). Honored for her exceptional leadership and excellence in strategic communications, Olivia has raised the bar in public communications. Her innovative approach, and forward-thinking have elevated SBCERA’s communications efforts to be one of the most active in the pension industry, setting a new standard for excellence.

2021

PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA was recognized with three Polaris Awards from the Public Relations Society of America – Inland Empire Chapter (PRSA-IE). The Polaris was awarded for SBCERA’s Strategic Communications Plan, eNewsletter Campaigns “Journey to Retirement” and “Life After Retirement”, and Retirement Consultation Guide.

Government Finance Officers Association - Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2020 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). This marks the 24th consecutive year SBCERA has received this award. SBCERA also received a GFOA Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for the 2020 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).

Asset International’s Chief Investment Officer (aiCIO) - aiCIO has named Don Pierce, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at the San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association (SBCERA) to Chief Investment Officer Magazine’s 2021 Power 100 list of top investment officers. You can read more about the top CIOs here.

2020

PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA was recognized with a Polaris Award from the Public Relations Society of America – Inland Empire Chapter (PRSA-IE). The Polaris was awarded for excellence in our recent Website Redesign project.

Government Finance Officers Association - Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2019 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). This marks the 23rd consecutive year SBCERA has received this award. SBCERA also received a GFOA Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for the 2019 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).

2019

Government Finance Officers Association - Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “Journey to the Top.” This marks the 22nd consecutive year SBCERA has received this award. SBCERA also received a GFOA Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for the 2018 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).

2018

PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA was recognized with a Polaris Award from the Public Relations Society of America – Inland Empire Chapter (PRSA-IE). The Polaris was awarded for SBCERA’s 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “MVP.”

Government Finance Officers Association - Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This marks the 21st consecutive year SBCERA has received this award. SBCERA also received a GFOA Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for the 2017 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).

California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) Excellence in Communications Awards - SBCERA was recognized with an Award of Distinction for the Live Chat feature on our website.

The American Advertising Federation – Inland Empire: SBCERA and our graphic design partner, Spencer Lewis Marketing Group, won a Silver American Advertising Award for the 2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “MVP.” We also won Bronze American Advertising Awards for the 2017 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) and “1 Year Member-Versary” direct mail postcard. The competition recognizes those who demonstrate the highest level of creative excellence in advertising.

2017

PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA was recognized with a Polaris Award and a Capella Award from the Public Relations Society of America – Inland Empire Chapter (PRSA-IE). The Polaris was awarded for SBCERA’s 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “SB Strong,” and the Capella Award was presented for our live “Chat” feature. The annual Polaris Awards recognize the very best in strategic public relations programs and tactical execution in the Inland Empire, and represent the highest standards of performance in the public relations profession.

Government Finance Officers Association - Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This marks the 20th consecutive year SBCERA has received this award. SBCERA also received its first GFOA Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award for the 2016 Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR).

The American Advertising Federation – Inland Empire: SBCERA and our graphic design partner, Spencer Lewis Group, have won a Silver American Advertising Award for the 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “SB Strong.” The competition recognizes those who demonstrate the highest level of creative excellence in advertising.

2016

PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - SBCERA was recognized with a Polaris Award and a Capella Award from the Public Relations Society of America – Inland Empire Chapter (PRSA-IE). The Polaris was awarded for SBCERA’s 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “Enjoying the Fruits of Retirement,” and the Capella Award was presented for the Quarterly Review newsletter. The annual Polaris Awards recognize the very best in strategic public relations programs and tactical execution in the Inland Empire, and represent the highest standards of performance in the public relations profession.

California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) Excellence in Communications Awards for the “SBCERA Pre-Retirement Webinar” in the category of Digital/Interactive, eGovernment Services. CAPIO’s “Excellence in Communication” awards recognize the most creative and effective efforts in the areas of communication and marketing campaigns, newsletter production, photography, special events, writing, website development and video production.

The American Advertising Federation: Inland Empire – Bronze American Advertising Award (previously known as ADDYs) for the 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “Enjoying the Fruits of Retirement.” The competition recognizes those who demonstrate the highest level of creative excellence in advertising.

2015

PRSA Inland Empire Polaris Awards - The SBCERA 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), “Managing Your Retirement Resources,” earned a Polaris Award in 2015. According to PRSA-IE, the annual award recognizes public relations tactics and programs that successfully incorporate sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. The Polaris Awards represent the highest standards of performance in the public relations profession in the Inland Empire.

Asset International’s Chief Investment Officer (aiCIO) - aiCIO has named Don Pierce, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at the San Bernardino County Employees’ Retirement Association (SBCERA) as #48 in “The New Power 100″ investment officer rankings. “He is ‘one of the most creative and thoughtful’ public fund investors around, according to his peers.”

Government Finance Officers Association - Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). This marks the 18th consecutive year SBCERA has received this award.

The American Advertising Federation: Inland Empire – Silver and Bronze American Advertising Awards (previously known as ADDYs) for the 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) “Managing Your Retirement Resources” and the summer 2014 Quarterly Review Newsletter, respectively. The competition recognizes those who demonstrate the highest level of creative excellence in advertising.