Governor Kim Reynolds Appoints Martin Noven as IPERS CEO

Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Martin Noven as the new CEO of the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS), effective August 24. Noven brings extensive experience in public retirement systems, having previously served as the executive director of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System from 2021 to 2025 and leading the State Universities Retirement System of Illinois from 2016 to 2021.

The appointment follows a period of leadership instability at IPERS, Iowa's largest public pension system, which manages approximately $47 billion for over 424,000 members. Former CEO Greg Samorajski resigned on May 1 amid a misconduct investigation, and chief benefits officer Steven Herbert was fired on May 7 for violating the state's sexual harassment policy.

Governor Reynolds and IPERS officials stated that the misconduct investigations did not jeopardize the fund's investments. Noven expressed commitment to ensuring the long-term strength and stability of the system upon his appointment.