CalPERS Names New Chief of Real Assets

Paul Mouchakkaa will succeed now-CIO Ted Eliopoulos to lead the pension plan’s $29.6 billion real asset portfolio.

Paul MouchakkaaPaul MouchakkaaThe California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) has hired Paul Mouchakkaa as senior investment officer for real assets. 

The current managing director of Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing succeeds Ted Eliopoulos, who was promoted to CIO of the $293 billion pension plan in September 2014. Mouchakkaa will begin his post on March 2, CalPERS said.

“Paul is a talented and experienced real estate professional, and we’re thrilled to have him on our team,” Eliopoulos said in a statement. “He has a proven track record of success and I’m confident that will continue at CalPERS.”

As senior investment officer for the $29.6 billion real asset portfolio, Mouchakkaa will head up a team of 60 and be responsible for both implementing and managing investment strategy and policy. The pension fund also said he will contribute to the fund’s overall strategy as a member of the senior management team.

The real asset portfolio consists of more than $25 billion of real estate investments as well as infrastructure and forestland.

Mouchakkaa is no stranger to the largest US pension plan. Prior to his position at Morgan Stanley, he was a portfolio manager in CalPERS’ real estate group. He also served as managing director at Pension Consulting Alliance.

The new hire received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and holds an MBA from the University of Oregon. 
 

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