Champaign, IL – The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) Board of Trustees has selected Martin Noven as the new executive director of the $18 billion state pension fund. Noven’s appointment becomes effective November 2, 2016.
Noven is the current senior director for government markets at TIAA (Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America). He is responsible for leading TIAA’s approach to core retirement plans for state and local governments nationwide supporting best practices for public sector retirement plans and providing guidance to public officials. He has been with TIAA since 2007. Prior to 2007, he worked at the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer in various management positions.
“The board of trustees is very pleased to welcome Martin Noven to SURS,” said Chairperson Tom Cross. “He has the broad experience needed to guide the system at this critical time. We are confident he will serve the membership well.”
Noven is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in speech communication. He obtained his juris doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law.
“I am honored and excited to be selected to lead this organization,” said Noven. “I look forward to joining my experience together with SURS staff as we continue to provide outstanding service to our 229,000 members.”
The SURS Board of Trustees worked with Heidrick and Struggles, a Chicago-based firm, over the past five months to conduct a nationwide search for qualified candidates.
Noven replaces interim executive director William Mabe, who has been serving in the role since June when former executive director W. Bryan Lewis resigned to take a position in Pennsylvania.