Board Election
The Board election is for three Board members who are members of the system. One is a retiree elected by retired members. Two are active members elected by active employees. Both state statutes and Board rules govern the Board member election process.
The next MOSERS Board of Trustees election will be held in 2026.
Timeline
- March 17, 2026 – Nomination petitions will be available online.
- June 17, 2026 – Nomination petitions are due to MOSERS.
- July 2026 – Nomination results and candidate biographies will be posted online.
- August 12, 2026 – Election information will be sent to all eligible members. Members will have six weeks to vote online or by phone.
- September 2026 – Board election will end September 23 at 5 pm CST. Certified election results will be posted online.
Board Election 2026 – Active and Retired Nominees
Four active member candidates and two retired member candidates successfully completed the nomination process, and their names will be listed on the election ballot. Learn more about each candidate by reviewing their candidate statements below. Candidates are listed in no particular order.
Active Member Candidates
Crystal D. Wessing
Number of Years of State Service: 25 years, 10 months
Candidate Statement:
For 12 years, I have been honored to serve on the Missouri State Employees' Retirement System (MOSERS) Board of Trustees, including several years as Chair. I am asking for your vote for re-election to continue this important work.
As a fiduciary for our statewide retirement system, I have taken the responsibility of stewarding over $10 billion in assets with the utmost seriousness. My tenure has been defined by a commitment to the long-term financial health of our plan, providing critical oversight of our investment strategy, setting the strategic direction, and promoting transparency and accountability.
My 25-year career in state government, currently as a Division Director within the Office of Administration, provides me with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing our state and its employees. I lead statewide services, oversee multi-million-dollar budgets, and direct complex projects that improve operational efficiency. This experience directly translates to my work on the MOSERS board, ensuring that member interests are always at the forefront of our decisions.
If re-elected, I will continue to apply my extensive experience and dedication to safeguard our retirement system and ensure the financial security of every MOSERS member. Your vote for proven leadership, continued stability, and a strong future for our retirement system is greatly appreciated.
Jenny Jacobs
Number of Years of State Service: 13 years, 5 months
Candidate Statement:
Jenny Jacobs is the Vice President of Finance at State Technical College of Missouri, a political subdivision of the State of Missouri. She earned her BSBA from the University of Missouri -- St. Louis and has been a licensed CPA since 1998. Her professional background includes 9 years in public accounting with a primary focus in business and personal income tax, followed by 8 years as Chief Financial Officer of a large multi-specialty medical group. For the past 13 ½ years she has been in higher education as the VP of Finance at State Tech. Since 2018, Jenny has served as the elected active member and currently holds the roles of Vice Chair of the Board, Chair of the Audit Committee, and member of the Strategic Planning and Governance Committee. She is proud to represent the membership of the plan and not only brings a strong business background, but also a unique higher education participant perspective to the board. She values collaboration and a conservative approach to strengthening and improving the plan. If elected for another term, she will continue to support policies and practices that provide stability to plan assets. She resides in rural Linn, Missouri, where she and her husband, Greg, have a growing cattle farm.
Jack Montano
Number of Years of State Service: 19 years, 1 month
Candidate Statement:
Jack Montano has dedicated nearly 20 years of public service to the State of Missouri through the Department of Mental Health. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of positions with increasing levels of responsibility and currently serves in a leadership role supporting a workforce of more than 100 employees. His experience includes workforce development, operational oversight, policy implementations, budgeting, and ensuring quality services for Missourians.
In addition to his state service, Jack served in the Missouri National Guard from 2018 to 2026, further strengthening his commitment to leadership, responsibility, and public service. He has contributed to statewide initiatives through participation in the Governor’s Challenge Team and the Operational Excellence Advisory Team, helping improve services, strengthening organizational effectiveness, and support continuous improvement across state government. Jack is also a graduate of both the Department of Mental Health Leadership Academy and the State of Missouri Leadership Academy.
Having built his career through nearly two decades of state service, Jack understands firsthand the value of retirement benefits earned by Missouri’s public employees. He is seeking election to the MOSERS Board of Trustees because he believes every state employee deserves a secure retirement and access to the information needed to make informed decisions throughout their career. He is committed to ensuring MOSERS remains transparent, responsive, fiscally responsible, and focused on the long-term interests of its members.
As a trustee, Jack would bring the perspective of a long-serving state employee, experienced leader, and public servant committed to responsible stewardship and accountability. He is dedicated to representing active employees and helping protect the retirement security they have earned through their service to Missouri.
Shaun O. Henderson
Number of Years of State Service: 9 months
Candidate Statement:
I am an Auditor with the Office of the Missouri State Auditor. I teach with Donnelly College, Business Management Department, in Kansas City, KS. I am the Treasurer of the Board of Directors with Water District No. 7 of Gardner, KS. I am also on the Supervisor Committee of Mazuma Credit Union, prior Board Member. I previously worked for the USDA Dairy Programs. I previously taught with Barton Community College, Upper Iowa University, Kansas Christian College, Webster University, and Park University.
I have my MBA in Finance from Keller Graduate School of Management, and my undergraduate in Accounting Information Systems from DeVry University. I completed my Professional Certificate in Nonprofit Fund Raising from the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership at the Henry W Block School of Management (UMKC).
I previously worked with Prudential Financial as a Financial Advisor, and at the time held my NASD Series 7, Series 66, Life & Health, and Property & Casualty Insurance licenses for KS & MO.
I have always been passionate about finance and accounting. I love to serve and help others reach their financial goals. I am proud to be an active member of MOSERS and my focus is on my coworkers for the State of Missouri, and the program's continued strength.
I believe my background, attention to cost saving improvements, asking questions, and focus on the pensioners and retirees is my relevance for my candidacy to serve as MOSERS Board of Trustees.
Retired Member Candidates
Gary Findlay
Job Position at Retirement: Executive Director
Candidate Statement:
I am presently completing eight years on the MOSERS board of trustees elected by retirees.
August 1994 – December 2015 – Executive Director, MOSERS (21+ years)
April 1978 – July 1994 – Employee Benefit Consultant at a national actuarial consulting firm specializing in public employee retirement, including CEO of the company beginning in 1986. (16+ years)
August 1973 – March 1978 – Initially Assistant Director and promoted to Executive Director beginning in 1975 (5 years)
July 1970 – July 1973 – Staff Associate, Missouri Municipal League (3 years)
May 1968 – May 1970 – U.S. Army – Honorably discharged as Infantry First Lieutenant upon completing one year of combat duty in Vietnam. (2 years)
Miscellaneous Information:
During my tenure with MOSERS the system was recognized nationally for excellence in plan administration, plan governance, plan benefit design, and investing plan assets. Recognitions included Plan Sponsor of the Year for the system from Plan Sponsor Magazine and personal lifetime achievement awards from Institutional Investor magazine and the Money Management Letter.
I also served in leadership roles in several large national organizations focused on excellence in public employee retirement plan administration and investing, served as an advisor to three gubernatorial commissions in Missouri focused on retirement plan benefit design, and wrote numerous articles for national employee benefit and investing trade journals.
Ronda Stegmann
Candidate Statement:
As we retirees recognize, retirement benefits are a vital aspect of our lives. Being in my third year of retirement, following 30 years of state service, I have an increased appreciation for the important work of MOSERS.
In 2023, I retired from the great honor of being MOSERS’ Executive Director, holding that position from 2018 to 2023. During that period, MOSERS achieved its highest one-year investment return of 26.7% and accumulated, at that time, an unprecedented trust fund balance of almost $10 billion.
Prior to joining MOSERS’ staff, I worked for the Missouri General Assembly for 21 years with the last 6 being Executive Director of the Joint Committee on Retirement. In 2015, Gary Findlay, MOSERS then-Executive Director, hired me to be MOSERS’ Legislative Coordinator. Three years later, the MOSERS’ Board of Trustees appointed me Executive Director.
In retirement, I appreciate the time to do things I enjoy, particularly substitute teaching in my granddaughter’s elementary school. I also work from home in a part-time position for the National Association of State Retirement Administrators (NASRA).
This year, MOSERS’ retirees will have the opportunity to elect a retiree to the Board of Trustees. I would appreciate your vote and would consider it a privilege to represent MOSERS’ retirees on the Board of Trustees. I am a seasoned public pension professional and would use my experience and expertise to continue to advance and protect MOSERS and the financial security of our members.
Thank you for your consideration in this election season. I commend you for your diligence in reviewing candidate bios and being an active, informed participant. Feel free to contact me at rlstegmann7@gmail.com with any questions or comments.
Recent News
- Upcoming Board Election 12/16/2025
- Board Election Candidate Nominations Now Open 3/17/2026