SPRINGFIELD, IL – Teachers’ Retirement System has retained RVK, Inc. of Portland, Oregon, as the System’s general investment consultant to help TRS make prudent money management decisions for the system’s $64.8 billion portfolio.

Following a competitive selection process, RVK was awarded a five-year consultant contract, the maximum under state law. RVK has been the System’s general consultant since 2006.

The company was founded in 1985 and currently assists its clients in administering $3 trillion, including investments for 57 public retirement systems like TRS. RVK has four offices across the country: Portland, Chicago, New York and Boise, Idaho.

In other action during its regularly scheduled June meeting, the trustees reviewed the following investment actions:

• Within the System’s $10.9 billion Private Equity Portfolio:
  • The commitment of $5 million to Alkemi Growth Capital, of New Delhi, India. This is a new investment relationship for TRS. Alkemi is a Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise and participates in the TRS Emerging Manager Program.
  • The commitment of $75 million to Bertram Capital, of Foster City, California. Bertram currently administers $73.3 million in TRS assets.
  • The commitment of $25 million to FVLCRUM, of Rockville, Maryland. This is a new investment relationship for TRS. FVLCRUM is a Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise and participates in the TRS Emerging Manager Program.
  • The Commitment of $150 million to Clayton, Dubliner & Rice, of New York, New York. This is a new investment relationship for TRS.
  • The commitment of $200 million to Parthenon Capital Partners, of Boston, Massachusetts. Parthenon currently administers $503.1 million in TRS assets.
• Within the System’s $12.5 billion Real Assets Portfolio:
  • The commitment of $215 million to Fortress Investment Group, of New York, New York. In this commitment, $115 million is dedicated to Fortress Japan Opportunity Fund V and $100 million to Fortress Real Estate Opportunities Fund IV. Fortress currently administers $131.2 million in TRS assets.
  • The commitment of $100 million to Brasa Capital Management, of Los Angeles, California. Brasa currently administers $60 million in TRS assets. Brasa is a Minority/Women-owned Business Enterprise and participates in the TRS Emerging Manager Program.
• Within the $15.3 billion Income Portfolio:
  • The commitment of $100 million to Taurus Funds Management, of Sydney, Australia. Taurus currently administers $61.1 million in TRS assets.
  • The commitment of $100 million to Pacific Investment Management Company, of Newport Beach, California. PIMCO currently administers $2.1 billion in TRS assets. 
• Within the $3.5 billion Diversifying Strategies Portfolio:
  • The full redemption of $200 million from Maniyar Capital Advisors, of London, United Kingdom.

About Teachers’ Retirement System

The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois is the 42nd largest pension system in the United States, and provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits to teachers, administrators and other public school personnel employed outside of Chicago. The System serves 439,000 members and had assets of $64.8 billion as of March 31, 2023.