IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
October 3, 2007 

For More Information, Contact:
Sherriene Jones-Sontag
785/296-2302

SPEAKER NAMES FORMER LEGISLATOR TO KPERS BOARD

Topeka – Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) announced today he has named former Representative John Edmonds of Great Bend to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) Board of Trustees.

“John brings a vast knowledge and understanding of the KPERS retirement system to the board,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “During his time in the Kansas House, he served as chairman of the House Taxation Committee and the Joint Committee on Pensions, Benefits and Investments and spent many years working on KPERS-related issues.  I believe he will serve Kansas public employees well in helping to protect their retirement.”

Edmonds retired from the Kansas House after serving six terms from 1995 - 2007.  He is a Certified Public Accountant and owns his own accounting firm in Great Bend.

"I'm very pleased that Speaker Neufeld has seen fit to appoint me to the KPERS board,” Edmonds said.  “During my years in the Legislature, I was heavily involved with KPERS issues and I appreciate that the Speaker apparently has confidence in my experience and ability.  I intend to do my best to demonstrate that his confidence is well placed."

KPERS provides statewide defined-benefit retirement plans for more than 250,000 state and local public employees and retired members.

The KPERS Board of Trustees is comprised of nine members. Four are appointed by the Governor, Senate President Steve Morris (R-Hugoton) and Speaker Neufeld each appoint one, two are elected by Retirement System members, and one is the elected State Treasurer. All serve four year terms.

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Contact:

John Edmonds, CPA
620/792-6552