OkMRF Staff is dedicated to providing best practice solutions. We develop long-standing working relationships with your employees (our Participants), human resources departments, and municipal staff to ensure all retirement plan needs are met. We commit to proactively strategizing with you (our Members) to implement solutions that meet your municipalities’ goals. Furthermore, we are dedicated to help enroll, educate, and provide retiree counseling for Participants.
OkMRF is proud to provide an outstanding team of professionals to service your plan – all at a low competitive cost. OkMRF retains such an impressive team because the municipalities and agencies share expenses. The cost efficiencies result because you – our Members – share plan expenses. The result: OkMRF negotiates low fees for you and Participants. There is power in numbers and together we are stronger!
Let us help you prepare the necessary plan documents including resolutions, ordinances, and joining documents for your governing body’s approval. Schedule a consultation today.
Click on a team member image for complete bio and contact information. Use the tab to toggle between core and power team members.
CEO/Executive Director
Phone: 888-394-6673, ext 102
Fax: 405-606-7879
Cell: 405-833-1318
Email: jcox@okmrf.org
Jodi is responsible for the overall operation of OkMRF, reporting to a nine (9) member Board of Trustees which represents the OkMRF membership; coordinates activities of the Trustees, consultants and staff; serves as liaison to the Administrative Committee; works with the Member municipalities on plan design and enhancements; and coordinates activities and services for the OkMRF Members and Participants.
Prior to joining OkMRF, she worked in public accounting. Jodi is a Certified Public Accountant and is a graduate of East Central University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She is a member of the American Institute, Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants, National Society of Pension Professionals and CMAO. She has a Certificate of Achievement in Public Plan Policy. Jodi has worked with OkMRF since September 1995.
Plan Advisor and Portfolio Strategist
Phone: 888-394-6673, ext 103
Fax: 405-606-7879
Cell: 405-826-7392
Email: cwhatley@okmrf.org
Chris oversees on-site retirement education programs for Participants and training Member municipalities regarding plan administration, plan design and enhancements; serves as liaison to the Investment Committee; processes necessary Customized Manager Option (CMO) plan amendments; and manages the relationships with the OkMRF investment managers and independent investment consultant.
Prior to joining OkMRF, Chris was a financial advisor at both Bank One and American Express. Chris is a Certified Financial Planner and is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Master of Science focusing in Family Financial Planning and a Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education and Development from Southern Illinois University. Chris has worked with OkMRF since January 2004.
Retirement Plan Administrator
Phone: 888-394-6673, ext 110
Fax: 405-606-7879
Cell: 405-226-0062
Email: kgirardi@okmrf.org
Katie is responsible for on-site retirement education to Participants and training Member municipalities regarding plan administration, plan design and enhancements; tracks securities litigation; and reviews/approves Defined Benefit (DB) distributions.
Prior to joining OkMRF, Katie was a financial services/team leader for American Fidelity. Katie has obtained FINRA Series 7, NASAA Series 66 and Oklahoma State Insurance licenses. She is also LEAN leadership certified and is a graduate of University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Business in Finance and a Bachelor of Business in Accounting. She has a Certificate of Achievement in Public Plan Policy. Katie has worked with OkMRF since August 2016.
Fund Accountant
Phone: 888-394-6673, ext 107
Fax: 405-606-7879
Email: rstewart@okmrf.org
Rhnea is responsible for the preparation of the OkMRF financial and GASB reports; reconciles activity from the custodian; oversees final participant and plan data for actuarial valuations; serves as liaison to the Contract Committee; manages asset buys, sells and transfers; and monitors trust account activity.
Prior to joining OkMRF, Rhnea worked for the City of Oklahoma City for over twenty-five (25) years in the areas of internal audit and accounting and served as the City Treasurer for thirteen (13) years. Rhnea is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Rhnea has worked with OkMRF since October 2008.
Executive Office Assistant
Phone: 888-394-6673, ext 100
Fax: 405-606-7879
Email: gcudjoe@okmrf.org
Gloria is responsible for the overall office support of administrative services; prepares all participant handouts and plan materials; maintains membership databases; prepares agenda packets; and coordinates all incoming and outgoing office correspondence.
Prior to joining OkMRF, Gloria worked at the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center as the Librarian and a substitute teacher, working with delinquent and criminal teenagers from the Oklahoma area. Gloria is also active in her church where she works as the Youth Director, Choir Director, Sunday School/Bible Instructor and Church Secretary. She studied Sociology and Physical Education at Southeastern State University and East Central University. Gloria has worked with OkMRF since September 2006.
Recordkeeping Manager
Phone: 888-394-6673, ext 105
Fax: 405-606-7879
Email: lporter@okmrf.org
Lindsay is responsible for overseeing, verifying and balancing Member payroll submissions and updating participant data for the Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) Plans; oversees the OkMRF recordkeeping team; coordinates recordkeeping services with both Dean Actuaries and VOYA Financial; assists in the OkMRF financial audit and GASB audit; updates OkMRF web-site; trains Members for online payroll input/upload; and coordinates information technology updates.
Lindsay is a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management and a minor in Finance. Lindsay has worked with OkMRF since September 2013.
Recordkeeping Assistant
Phone: 888-394-6673, ext 106
Fax: 405-606-7879
Email: tfox@okmrf.org
Tamara is responsible for the input of all Participant payroll data for the Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) Plans; sets up new participants; scans all related DB and DC applicable records to internal scanning system; processes address and beneficiary changes; and assists in processing DB retirement applications for distribution.
Prior to joining OkMRF, Tamara was an Office Manager focusing on customer service in the auto finance industry for over five (5) years. Before that she was the Director of Design Development for Oklahoma Embroidery Supply and Design. Tamara graduated from U.S. Grant High School and continued her post-secondary education at the University of Central Oklahoma. Tamara has worked for OkMRF since October 2021.
Distribution and Project Specialist
Phone: 888-394-6673, ext 104
Fax: 405-606-7879
Cell: 405-833-4673
Email: kbaser@okmrf.org
Kari is responsible for plan document amendments and updates; files plans with the IRS on behalf of Members; processes fund expenses and OkMRF payroll; oversees the OkMRF distribution team; monitors Defined Contribution (DC) Participant loans; processes Defined Benefit (DB) contribution rate change requests; prepares the annual contribution summaries for the DB Membership; manages OkMRF records, retention and destruction schedule; and revises administrative forms.
She works remotely for OkMRF.
Prior to joining OkMRF, Kari worked in the banking industry for over nineteen (19) years in a variety of capacities including customer service, accounting, trust services and payroll. Kari is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science and a minor in Accounting. Kari has worked with OkMRF since February 2001.
Distribution Manager
Phone: 888-394-6673, ext 109
Fax: 405-606-7879
Email: cmccartney@okmrf.org
Catherine is responsible for processing Defined Benefit (DB) retirement applications and distributions; researches deceased Participants and cost of living pension adjustments; works with Members and Participants in providing DB pension estimates; and helps Defined Contribution (DC) Participants with the website and toll-free information line.
Prior to joining OkMRF, Catherine worked in the banking industry for over twenty-four (24) years in the areas of item processing, payroll management and safekeeping. Catherine attended high school in Seminole, OK, and has completed extensive college coursework in Business Administration. Catherine has worked with OkMRF since May 2008.
Distribution Assistant
Phone: 888-394-6673, ext 108
Fax: 405-606-7879
Email: clowe@okmrf.org
Cheryl assists in processing Defined Benefit (DB) retirement applications and contribution refunds; helps Participants and Members with distribution/1099R questions; processes retiree address, direct deposit and tax changes; reviews death benefits and helps process annual cost of living pension adjustments and DB required minimum distributions.
Prior to joining OkMRF, Cheryl worked as project management assistant with various administrative duties in the construction/architecture industry for over fifteen (15) years. Cheryl has a Skillsoft E-Learning certificate of completion in accounting fundamentals and a Travel and Tourism certificate from Pickens Technical College in Colorado. Cheryl has worked with OkMRF since February 2020.
DC Recordkeeper
Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), helps Americans plan, invest and protect their savings — to get ready to retire better. With a clear mission to make a secure financial future possible — one person, one family, one institution at a time — Voya’s vision is to be America’s Retirement CompanyTM.
Website
OkMRF Strategic Relationship Manager
Phone: 781-796-9286
Adria serves as the Strategic Relationship Manager for OkMRF retirement plan members. Adria’ s specific tasks include connecting with the OkMRF Board and staff to understand the goals and needs of the program for all members, and working with Voya teams and external business partners to execute accordingly. Adria is primarily responsible for overseeing business strategy for OkMRF, informing members of updates to the Voya® family of companies products and services, regulatory impacts to client plans, research on industry best practices, and serves as client promoter within Voya for product and service enhancements.
DB Custodian
A PARTNER FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW
Innovation and thought leadership, with equal focus on the day-to-day issues; financial stability
and conservatism, yet a commitment to invest in the future; and local expertise with global scale,
are all qualities you may look for in a partner. That is why so many people choose to work with
Northern Trust. Our unique qualities offer a mix of stability and innovation, allowing us to
support your asset servicing and asset management needs both today and tomorrow.
Website
Overview
OkMRF Relationship Manager
Phone: 1-312-630-6548
Karson Wattles joined Northern Trust in May of 2015. Currently, she is a Relationship Manager in the Public Funds & Taft Hartley group within the Corporate & Institutional Trust Services business unit at Northern Trust - Chicago. She is responsible for the daily coordination of cash management, audit administration, general service and review of legal documents for her client relationships. Karson serves as the client’s strategist and facilitator by managing Northern Trust’s commitment to the client, addressing client issues to ensure appropriate resources are dedicated to the relationship and establishing a solid business relationship.
Prior to her current role, Karson was a Client Service Manager for over 3 years in the Public Entities and Institution Group, where her focus was strictly on the day-to-day servicing tasks. Prior to that, Karson was an Account Manager in the Public Entities and Institution Group, where she supported Relationship Managers and Client Service Managers. Karson’s tenure at Northern Trust has consistently been in the area of Public Funds and Taft-Hartley related client service.
Investment Consultants
Asset Consulting Group (ACG) is an investment consulting firm focused exclusively on providing comprehensive, customized and conflict-free investment expertise to a select group of clients.
Overview
Website
Tax Attorney
By rigorously maintaining the highest standards of legal excellence, the Oklahoma-based law firm of McAfee & Taft has grown to become one of the largest and most respected full-service business practice law firms in the region.
Website
Actuary and DB Recordkeeper
Phone: 214-891-0990
Dean Actuaries is proud to have served as the OkMRF actuary since 1997. We value our experience with the Trustees, OkMRF employers and the participants.
OkMRF defined benefit pension plans have demonstrated a high degree of financial stability, excellent plan design and safe funding levels. They are a model of how defined benefit plans should be handled by governmental employers. We believe our service as the Actuary has contributed to these outstanding results.
Overview
OkMRF Attorney
Phone: 405-840-6353
Fax: 405-557-0777
David serves as general counsel to the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund. Mr. Davis has more than forty years experience in representing municipalities, public trusts, and related entities in a wide range of matters. His service with Oklahoma Municipal Retirement Fund includes representation of the Board of Trustees and advising the staff on legal issues arising in the administration and operation of the retirement plans.
David has been associated with OkMRF since about 1975.