Hershel Harper

Hershel Harper is the chief investment officer (CIO) of the Trust. With more than 18 years of institutional investment experience, he leads the Trust's investment strategy.

Prior to joining the Trust, he served as CIO for the South Carolina Retirement System Investment Commission (RSIC), the governing body responsible for investing and managing all assets for the South Carolina Retirement System. Harper was responsible for developing investment policies and strategy, asset and risk allocations, overseeing manager due diligence, and managing a team of 20 investment professionals. He also collaborated with the executive director on strategic planning, budgeting, and communicating with key stakeholders (retiree and employee associations), including the general assembly.

Harper earned his master’s degree in finance from Louisiana State University and his bachelor’s degree in finance from Louisiana Tech University. He earned his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and remains a member of the CFA Society of South Carolina.