Top California Pension Funds to Host California Investment Conference September 18-20 in Los Angeles, California

Business Wire, Sept 12, 2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Six leading experts will address new and emerging challenges, opportunities and strategies for investing in California at the California Pension Fund Investment Conference September 18-20 in Los Angeles at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel.

The conference is designed to enhance institutional investing in California, which is the world's eighth biggest economy and a promising market for new capital in emerging sectors.

The conference is being co-sponsored by the Los Angeles County Employees' Retirement Association (LACERA), the City of Los Angeles Fire and Police Pensions (LAFPP), the Los Angeles City Employees' Retirement System (LACERS), the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS).

Scheduled speakers are:

* Henry Cisneros, Chairman of CityView, a real estate investment and development company focused on affordable housing in inner cities; former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and four-term Mayor of San Antonio, Texas;

* Dr. Teresa Hebb, Senior Research Associate, Oxford University, and an authority on the role of U.S. public sector pension funds and urban revitalization;

* Victor MacFarlane, Managing Principal, Chairman and CEO of MacFarlane Partners, a top U.S. real estate development firm experienced in redevelopment and single-family residential housing in urban and high-density suburban areas;

* Manjari Raman, Director of the Inner City Economic Forum;

* Kevin Starr, California State Librarian Emeritus and author of Americans and the California Dream; and

* Dr. Robert Waste of Robert Waste & Associates, who participated in a study that found CalPERS and CalSTRS pensions generate a powerful $21 billion in economic activity statewide every year.

Professionals of pension funds, endowment funds, and investment assets will join foundation trustees and conference-sponsoring investment partners to discuss opportunities and strategies for investing in California. Researchers say pension funds might have a significant impact on California infrastructure investment needs, estimated at $500 billion.

Sessions will feature research on the economic impact of public pension fund investing, insights for revitalizing and investing in underserved urban and rural California communities. The conference begins with an evening reception on September 18, and events the following day - beginning with opening remarks on the history and promise of California by State Librarian Emeritus Kevin Starr. Sessions on September 20 are for trustees only, and will offer a case-study approach to exploring issues, policies, and strategies for successful board decision-making.

Sponsors of the conference had this to say about the event:

"This day-long event is a must attend for investment professionals they want to hear first-hand the experiences and successes of in-state investing," said Robert Aguallo, General Manager of the LACERS.

"Imagine the best and brightest California public pension fund investment professionals all in one room. You can't get that from just any conference," said Michael Perez, General Manager of the LAFPP.

"You can hear first-hand how you can tap California's entrepreneurial spirit and make good investments," remarked Greg Rademacher, Chief Executive Officer of the LACERA.

Fred Buenrostro, Chief Executive Officer for CalPERS said, "California has the eighth largest economy in the world and is ripe with investment opportunity. This conference will provide a road map for pension funds interested in harnessing California's vibrant and diverse economy."

Jack Ehnes, Chief Executive Officer for CalSTRS added, "The trustee workshop will give you the tools you need to make prudent California investments and meet your fiduciary duties."

The full conference agenda, list of speakers, and registration materials can be found on the CalPERS Web site at www.calpers.ca.gov.