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Integrity. Stability. Clarity. Perfect qualities for a retirement fund leader—and Emilian Groch has them in spades.
The Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund (ATRF) has benefitted from Groch’s talents for just over two decades. At the Annual Representative Assembly on the May long weekend (Groch’s twenty-first, by the way), Alberta teachers recognized his talents by presenting him with the Special Recognition Award.
“When Emilian joined the ATRF in 1994, he immediately brought stability to the top levels of an organization that had been experiencing internal turmoil,” said ATA President Mark Ramsankar. “Emilian’s impact went well beyond the administration, turning the ATRF into what is widely recognized as one of the best-run pension plans in Canada.”
Immediately prior to joining the ATRF, Groch had spent ten years as the Alberta superintendent of pensions. His expertise has also benefitted the Policy Committee of the Association of Canadian Pension Management, and he was a founding director of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance.
But Groch’s success with the ATRF does not rely on experience alone. He is also a strong and effective leader who knows the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with plan sponsors, other organizations and ATRF staff. “He really is a pension guru,” commented Ramsankar. “He is largely responsible for where we are today—and for that we are eternally grateful.”
From retirement fund leader to retiree, Groch will be stepping down at the end of the year. He thanked the ATA for the award and noted that the Alberta teacher’s pension plan “may be the most valuable asset you will have.” Thanks for that, Mr. Groch. ❚
