Miller, Adkins are Top Two Vote-Getters in KERS Election

FRANKFORT, KY – Crystal Miller, Public Health Director at the WEDCO District Health Department, and David Adkins, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Council of State Governments, were the top two vote-getters in the most recent Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS) election. They will begin serving their four-year terms on the Kentucky Retirement Systems (KRS) Board on April 1.

Results

KERS Election
Candidate Votes
Crystal Miller

3,575

David Adkins 1,948
R. Campbell Connell    1,867
Larry Totten 1,645
C. Jack Wright 1,189
Teudis Perez 997
Write-ins 40

Turnout

Turnout
Internet     Paper     Total     Electorate     Turnout %
3,727 2,414   6,141   137,998 4.45%

 

Although turnout was calculated at 4.5%, that figure includes inactive members. Among active and retired members, turnout was 7.5%. David Eager, Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) Executive Director, said KPPA is committed to looking for ways to encourage a much higher level of participation in Board elections.

Ms. Miller and Mr. Adkins will take the positions of R. Campbell Connell and Larry Totten. Mr. Connell was elected in 2018 to serve as one of two KERS representatives. His term carried over to the new KRS Board under the KPPA governance structure established by House Bill 484 (2020 Regular Session) and House Bill 9 (2021 Regular Session). Mr. Totten was appointed in June 2021 by KRS Trustees to fill a vacated board position.

Keith Peercy, chair of the KRS Board of Trustees, congratulated Ms. Miller and Mr. Adkins. “I look forward to working with them during their terms,” he said. “I also thank Mr. Connell and Mr. Totten for their service to the board and wish them well in the future.”

Mr. Adkins said, “I appreciate the trust the members of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System have placed in me. I’m looking forward to serving with my fellow trustees as we work together with an exceptional staff to advance the interests of retirees and future retirees.”

Ms. Miller said, “As a multi-generational Kentuckian, I am honored to serve on the KRS Board of Trustees and represent hard working people of Kentucky who have dedicated their lives to being of service. Thank you for trusting me to serve on a board that handles critically important issues for our State.”

Election results are subject to ratification by the full KRS Board of Trustees.

Ms. Miller, who lives in Lexington, has been the Public Health Director for the WEDCO District Health Department since 2007. WEDCO serves residents in Bourbon, Harrison, Nicholas, and Scott counties. It offers preventive health care; health education; home health; and restaurant, swimming pool, and hotel inspections. Ms. Miller received her Doctor of Public Health, her Master of Public Health, and her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Kentucky.

Mr. Adkins has led the Council of State Governments since 2008. CSG is a Lexington-based nonpartisan organization that advocates for excellence in state government through its Center of Innovation, National Center for Interstate Compacts, its regional offices, its Justice Center, and its 11 affiliated organizations. Mr. Adkins received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kansas Law School and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Kansas. He is a former Kansas State Representative from 1993 to 2001 and a Kansas State Senator from 2001 to 2005.

Kentucky Revised Statute 61.645/78.782 provides that Trustees shall be elected by the eligible members of CERS, KERS, or SPRS for a four-year term. Upcoming Trustee elections are:

  • The next SPRS election will be held in 2023 for one Trustee serving a term of April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2027.
  • The next CERS election will be held in 2025 for three Trustees serving a term of April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2029.
  • The next KERS election will be held in 2026 for two Trustees serving a term of April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2030.

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The Kentucky Public Pensions Authority is responsible for the investment of funds and administration of pension and health insurance benefits for over 401,000 active and retired state and local government employees, state police officers, and nonteaching staff of local school boards and regional universities.

Visit our website at https://kyret.ky.gov

 

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