The Municipal Pensions Oversight Board
The Oversight Board consists of nine members. The executive director of the state's Investment Management Board and the executive director of the state's Consolidated Public Retirement Board, or their designees, serve as voting ex officio members. The other seven members are citizens of the state who have been qualified electors of the state for a period of at least one year next preceding their appointment and listed as follows: An active or retired member of a Municipal Policemen's Pension and Relief Fund, an active or retired member of a Municipal Firemen's Pension and Relief Fund, an attorney experienced in finance and investment matters related to pensions management, two persons experienced in pension funds management, one person who is a certified public accountant experienced in auditing and one person chosen from a list of three persons submitted to the Governor by the state's largest association of municipalities. With exception to the ex officio members, the terms of oversight board members are staggered.
Members serve until a successor is selected by the Governor and approved by the WV Senate.
Stephen G. Neddo, Chairman
Municipal Pensions Oversight Board
Mr. Stephen G. Neddo is currently employed by the Kanawha County Commission as the Maintenance and Facilities Director. He is a retired Lieutenant from the Charleston Police Department with over 25 years of service. During his service, he was assigned to the Metro Drug Unit (MDENT), held the title of Commander of the Metro Drug Unit, and was Chief Range Officer and SWAT Commander
In addition, Mr. Neddo is a certified instructor in dangerous drugs and narcotics, financial investigations, firearms, combat tactics and SWAT. He is a graduate of the WV State Police Academy and the FBI National Academy. He served in the United States Army Reserves from 1986 to 1992. He currently is President of the Capital City Lodge #74, Fraternal Order of police.
Jason Matthews, Vice Chairman
Municipal Pensions Oversight Board
Term: July 22, 2015 to January 1, 2023
Mr. Jason Matthews is currently employed by the Parkersburg Fire Department. He became a member of the department in November 2013 and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. He is assigned to Rescue 1, which responds out of the City’s main station. Mr. Matthews became a trustee of the Parkersburg Firemen’s Pension and Relief Fund in 2011. He currently serves as secretary of the board.
In addition, Mr. Matthews currently serves as an advisory board member of the Professional Fire Fighters of West Virginia (PFFWV). He began serving in that capacity in the fall of 2010. He became a member of the executive board of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 91 in the spring of 2007. He is also a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and is certified to the level of Fire Officer 4.
Travis L. Blosser, Member
Municpal Pensions Oversight Board
Term: July 2020, January 2021
Travis got his start in local government when he was elected to Fairmont City Council in 2012. He then served as the City Manager for both Shinnston and Weirton. His work leading both a smaller town and larger municipality gave him unique insight into municipal operations. It provided him with an education in managing complex systems, including partnerships with local, regional and federal partners. Travis then came on board with the West Virginia Municipal League serving as it’s Deputy Director prior to taking on the role of Executive Director.
Since coming on board with the WVML he’s worked to increase the league’s programs and services to its members. Through his work Travis sits on several boards representing organizations working to improve the quality life in municipalities throughout West Virginia and the nation.
Jeffrey E. Fleck, Member
Municipal Pensions Oversight Board
Term: Ex Officio Voting Member
Mr. Jeffrey E. Fleck was appointed to the WV Consolidated Public Retirement Board on October 1, 2011, after having served as Chief Compliance Officer for the CPRB. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Liberty University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Charleston.
Before joining the CPRB staff in 2007, Mr. Fleck held many leadership roles in the health care arena. He was branch manager of a home health care agency and later went to work at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston as Program Director of their Wound Care Clinic. During that time, he also earned his MBA from the University of Charleston. He also served as Business Development Coordinator and Compliance Officer at Pleasant Valley Hospital in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. As CPRB Compliance Officer, over a four year period, Mr. Fleck has performed compliance reviews of all retirement plans administered by the CPRB to assure compliance with the Internal Revenue Code.
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David W. Lanham, Member
Municipal Pensions Oversight Board
Term: March 10, 2017 –January 1, 2025
David Lanham, Managing Director for LOC Investment Advisors has over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. He co-founded Lanham O’Dell (LOC) in 1981. A 1964 graduate of the University of Charleston, David played a key role nationally in the emerging financial planning profession during the 1980’s. He provided leadership to both the Financial Planning Association, serving as President of the West Virginia Chapter as well as the Institute of Certified Financial Planners in the state during that time. He was recognized by Money Magazine in 1987 as one the “Top 200 Financial Planners in America.”
Currently, David provides investment advice to clients of the firm regionally and nationally. He continues to provide leadership to charitable projects of interest, something he has been doing his entire career.
Sarah H. Long, Member
Municipal Pensions Oversight Board
Term: July, 2020 to January 1, 2024
Sarah H. Long is the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Cabinet Secretary for the Department of Administration. A Certified Public Accountant, Long has spent many years in the public sector. A native Charlestonian, she went to Charleston Catholic High School and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Marietta College in 1993, double majoring in Accounting and Management.
Upon graduation, Long worked in the private sector at a national "Big Four" accounting firm specializing in auditing governmental agencies, including the overall audit of the State of West Virginia. She began her public service career as a financial consultant for the Finance Division where she served as Interim Chief Financial Officer for the Public Employees Insurance Agency. She then became Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer for the Board of Risk and Insurance Management. She most recently served several years as Deputy Treasurer for the State Treasurer, overseeing the cash management function for the State of West Virginia.
Michael A. Payne, Member
Municipal Pensions Oversight Board
Term: March 2, 2016 – January 1, 2025
Mr. Payne joined STEELOAKS Investment Advisers, Inc. in February 2005 as President, Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer. As a member of the Investment Planning Group, Michael is responsible for setting the general parameters for the investment advice provided to the firm’s clients and supervises all Investment Management personnel providing investment advisory and portfolio management services. Michael also oversees the performance of the firm’s personnel engaged in processing account information, record keeping, as well as the design and implementation of the firm’s disaster recovery and contingency plan. Michael has over 20 years of business management, portfolio management and financial planning experience, including completing intensive investment management indoctrination on Wall Street.
Prior to joining SteelOaks Investments, Michael worked with Prudential Securities and Wachovia Securities for over 8 years as Associate Vice-President of Investments. During his professional career, Michael has accumulated his clients’ wealth by implementing tailored investment strategies designed to meet the individual objectives and goals of each client.
Mr. Payne earned his B.S. degree in Business Management from West Virginia University in 1990 and holds his Series 63, 65. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Construction Laborers Council (CLC), Weirton United Way, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, Association of Investment Management Sales Executives (AIMSE), and several civic organizations.
Thompson R. Pearcy, Member
Municipal Pensions Oversight Board
Term: January 1, 2022 –January 1, 2027
Thompson R. Pearcy is a Partner in the Charleston, West Virginia office of the law firm Bowles Rice LLP, where he currently serves as the group leader of the firm’s Securities and Public Finance Practice Group.
Mr. Pearcy focuses his practice on commercial and financial law, and has experience in public finance and municipal bonds, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, commercial lending, private offerings, contract negotiation, creditors’ rights issues and securities regulation and compliance matters.
He earned his law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law in 2012, and is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association and the West Virginia State Bar.
Craig Slaughter, Member
Municipal Pensions Oversight Board
Term: Ex Officio Voting Member
Mr. Craig Slaughter is the Executive Director of the West Virginia Investment Management Board, the entity responsible for investing the State's moneys, its defined benefit plans, and Workers' Compensation Funds. Mr. Slaughter has been responsible for the State's investment portfolio since leaving the practice of law in 1989. Mr. Slaughter received his Juris Doctor degree from West Virginia University College of Law in 1986 and he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cornell University in 1979. In addition, he is a Certified Investment Management Consultant; (NASD) Series 15-11 and 12.
Mr. Slaughter is a member of the National Association of State Investment Officers; National Association of Public Pension Attorneys; and West Virginia State Bar. He also is Vice President and board member of the West Virginia Cycling Foundation; and board member of the West Virginia Land Trust