Newsmakers
Iowa Governor Appoints New IPERS Chief Executive
Martin Noven, formerly of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, will succeed Greg Samorajski.
Reported by Matt Toledo
Martin Noven
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced Friday the appointment of Martin Noven as CEO of the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System, effective August 24.
Previously executive director of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, Noven will succeed Greg Samorajski, who resigned in May after being placed on leave due to an investigation into misconduct allegations. IPERS General Counsel Elizabeth Hennessey currently serves as acting CEO.
Steven Herbert was terminated as IPERS’ chief benefits officer in May following a separate misconduct investigation.
“Martin Noven knows what it means to partner with industry leaders, trustees, policymakers and legislators to deliver long-term outcomes and strong fund performance,” Reynolds said in a statement. “The depth of his experience in public retirement systems is unmatched and will add immeasurable value for IPERS and its members.”
As executive director for MSRPS since 2021, Noven led the $75 billion plan, which had 430,000 members. He had earlier been the executive director for the State Universities Retirement System of Illinois.
Noven’s experience includes work as senior director and associate general counsel at TIAA and as deputy treasurer of Illinois.
“I am deeply grateful for Governor Reynolds’ trust and confidence in appointing me to lead Iowa’s largest public retirement system,” Noven said in a statement. “It is a privilege to serve the many Iowans who depend on IPERS, and I am committed to advancing the organization’s mission and ensuring the long‑term strength and stability of the system as IPERS CEO.”
Noven earned a bachelor of arts degree in speech communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.
IPERS manages $47 billion in assets for more than 424,000 beneficiaries.