Executive Team

TRA has an Executive Director who is appointed by the Board of Trustees and three Assistant Executive Directors who are responsible for overall operations.

View photos and terms of office for all TRA Executive Directors.

	Laurie Fiori Hacking Executive Director Teachers Retirement Association 60 Empire Drive Suite 400 St Paul MN 55103 800-657-3669 or 651-296-2409 lhacking@minnesotatra.org Laurie Hacking joined TRA in March 2006. Prior to this, Laurie was Executive Director of the $70 billion Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) for six years. She also previously directed the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association from 1991-1996 and was director of the City of Cincinnati Retirement System. Laurie served as Planning Director for the Illinois Department of Revenue, and worked in Washington, D.C. on pension and retirement issues for the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Ms. Hacking has vast knowledge and experience in the areas of public pension finance and administration, legislative relations, and implementation of customer service initiatives.
	Luther Thompson, Ph.D, J.D. Assistant Executive Director, Legal and Legislative Services Teachers Retirement Association 60 Empire Drive Suite 400 St Paul MN 55103 800-657-3669 or 651-296-2409 lthompson@minnesotatra.org Luther Thompson began working at TRA in August 1999 as the Assistant Executive Director for Legal and Legislative Services. Luther brings strong academic, economic, legal and public pension fund experience to this position. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics, received his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and is licensed to practice law in Minnesota. Luther is committed to the mission of TRA and total quality management of TRA’s resources. In his role as Assistant Executive Director he is committed to and focuses on developing and implementing sound public pension policy for Minnesota teachers consistent with the highest fiduciary standards. He supports the equitable promotion of the benefits and rights of all TRA members and retirees.
	John Wicklund Assistant Executive Director, Administration Teachers Retirement Association 60 Empire Drive Suite 400 St Paul MN 55103 800-657-3669 or 651-296-2409 jwicklund@minnesotatra.org John Wicklund began working at TRA in October, 1992 and brings solid accounting and financial skills from his previous work experience at the Office of the Legislative Auditor. He has been responsible for budgeting, accounting and financial reporting for the Association. Wicklund graduated from the University of Minnesota–Minneapolis with a degree in Accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has been licensed in Minnesota since 1988. He is also a Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) as designated by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA). His philosophy of management for the Association is to maintain a strong actuarial funding position. "For TRA to thrive, members must have a belief that the money to pay their earned benefits will be there at retirement," he asserts. "The goal of TRA management must be to continually strive to possess the assets to pay current and future benefits to hard-working educators."
	Karen Williamson Assistant Executive Director, Operations Teachers Retirement Association 60 Empire Drive Suite 400 St Paul MN 55103 800-657-3669 or 651-296-2409 kwilliamson@minnesotatra.org A veteran of TRA since 1969, Karen Williamson was promoted to Assistant Executive Director of Operations in July of 1999. Williamson served from 1997 to 1999 as Customer Services Director, from 1986 to 1997 as Retirement Services Director and from 1969 to 1986 as Retirement Counselor. She brings a wealth of historical knowledge about pension-related legislation, TRA's pension plans, and the calculation and verification of retirement, disability and death benefits. In her role as Assistant Executive Director, Karen will continue to focus on the improvement of TRA customer service.