Paul Matson

Paul Matson has been with the Arizona State Retirement System since 1995 and has served since 2003 as its chief executive, overseeing an approximately $40 billion investment portfolio, $25 million annual appropriated budget, and 220 employees. Oversight includes pension, health insurance, long term disability and defined contribution plans.

Reporting divisions include investment management, member services, financial services, information technology, budget, human resources, strategic planning and legislative and public affairs. Mr. Matson reports to a nine-member Board of Trustees.

In 2012, Mr. Matson was honored as “Leader of the Year in Public Policy – Government” by the Arizona Capitol Times. Mr. Matson was recognized for his work leading the ASRS through challenging economic times and an active legislative session in which lawmakers focused on the state’s public pension plans.

Mr. Matson joined the ASRS in 1995 as chief investment officer, responsible for the internal and external multi asset-class investment management of the fund and development of the internal investment management division of the ASRS.

From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Matson served as senior investment advisor at the Treasury Division, Workers Compensation Board, Alberta, Canada. His overall responsibilities were for asset mix, asset class selection, manager analysis and performance monitoring for the multi-billion dollar fund.

From 1989 to 1994, Mr. Matson served as financial analyst and portfolio analyst at the Investment Management Division, Alberta Treasury. His duties included performance measurement, derivatives analysis, fixed income analysis, asset mix analysis, liability analysis and various portfolio support activities.

Mr Matson is a founding member of the Canada Arizona Business Council. He has served on and chaired the Arizona State Govering Committee for Deferred Compensation Plans. Mr. Matson is also a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy.