Thomas “Thom” Williams, the executive director of the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) of the State of Hawaii, is retiring at the end of the year after more than a decade at the state pension fund.
Since his appointment as executive director in 2015, Williams led the initiative to modernize the fund’s pension administration system, as well as initiatives that improved employer-reporting compliance, strengthened cybersecurity, and enhanced engagement with stakeholders across the state.
He also played a key role in the repeal of Act 1 (Second Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2016), which threatened the tax-qualified status of the system and the accompanying preferential treatment of its members’ contributions and benefits.
Prior to joining Hawaii’s ERS, Williams served five years as Wyoming Retirement System’s executive director. Earlier in his career he was TIAA-CREF’s vice-president and general manager. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Johnson C. Smith University and his law degree from Rutgers Law School.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to express our deepest gratitude to executive director Williams for his steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to the Employees’ Retirement System,” said Emmit Kane, chair of the Board of Trustees, in a press release. “Thom’s vision and dedication have left a lasting, positive impact on the lives of our members and the future of ERS. His legacy is one of integrity, innovation, and service, and we wish him all the best as he embarks on this well-earned retirement.”
Williams’ retirement will be effective Dec. 31, 2025.
