The Board is now accepting applications for two open financial community member seats on the Investment Advisory Committee. Desired background includes investment experience at an institution of similar size (approximately $9.0 million in investments). Committee members shall serve in a volunteer capacity for a four (4) year term. Committee meetings will be held quarterly, at a minimum, and all travel expenses associated with committee work will be reimbursed.
Prospective members will be required to submit to a background check and will be ineligible to work as an investment manager for the College during their tenure as a committee member. Employees and/or retirees of Fort Lewis College are not eligible to apply.
Interested candidates should complete the application form by May 31, 2021.
Download Application
During the 2013 Colorado legislative session, a law was passed (HB 13-1297) granting investment authority to Fort Lewis College. Prior to the enactment of HB 13-1297, all funds collected by the Board of Trustees were held and invested by the State Treasurer. The legislation allows the Board to choose investment options not typically afforded the State Treasurer’s office, essentially providing the College with the flexibility to tailor its investment strategies to best achieve growth of long-term financial assets, such as endowments or other internally restricted funds. Other Colorado institutions that have the authority to independently invest funds outside of the State Treasurer include the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Colorado Mesa University, and the Colorado School of Mines.
As part of this authority, an Investment Advisory Committee was established in 2014. The committee’s membership consists of the Fort Lewis College Treasurer, one (1) member of the College’s Board of Trustees (Board), and three (3) representatives from the financial community. Per statute, at least one member shall be a Certified Financial Analyst.
The College has been fortunate to have the first three financial community members serve since 2014. With the guidance of these members, the Investment Advisory Committee conducted a Request for Proposal for an Investment Manager, selecting PFM Asset Management. Fort Lewis College originally invested $6.0M in December 2015; the current portfolio balance is approximately $9.0M currently.