• Home
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Your Account
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Alternatives Watch
  • Hedge Funds
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
    • CTAs/Managed Futures
  • Private Equity
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
  • Private Credit
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
  • RE/Infrastructure
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
  • Investor News
    • Endowments and Foundations
    • ESG
    • Pensions
    • Platforms
    • Consultants
  • Research
    • Investor Scorecard
    • Manager Scorecard
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
  • Hedge Funds
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
    • CTAs/Managed Futures
  • Private Equity
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
  • Private Credit
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
  • RE/Infrastructure
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
  • Investor News
    • Endowments and Foundations
    • ESG
    • Pensions
    • Platforms
    • Consultants
  • Research
    • Investor Scorecard
    • Manager Scorecard
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
Alternatives Watch
No Result
View All Result
Sponsored by

CIO Talks: Chicago Teachers' Vinzons is certain there'll be uncertainty

Mark FortunebyMark Fortune
August 25, 2022
in Investor News, Pensions
CIO Talks Chicago Teachers Fernando Vinzons is certain there will be uncertainty

Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund CIO Fernando Vinzons (provided)

ShareTweetShareSendSend

Fernando Vinzons became chief investment officer of the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund (CTPF) in July 2022, with responsibility for the operations of CTPF’s $13.1 billion investment portfolio.

He filled a position vacated by Angela Miller-May, who left CTPF last summer to join the $53.1 billion Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund as its chief investment officer. Vinzons previously served as director of investments for the Cook County (Ill.) Pension Fund. 

Vinzons has more than 18 years of investment and financial market expertise, with four years as director of investments and 10 years as a senior member of Cook County’s investment team. During his tenure at Cook’s County, he was responsible for growing the county’s underfunded pension portfolio — to $14 billion from $5.2 billion — and improving the fund’s peer ranking to the 28th percentile from the 65th.

As Vinzons begins his new role at CTPF, Alternatives Watch asked him to share a few of his thoughts on his new role, his outlook on the current investment environment, and on alternative assets. 

AW: As the new CIO of a $13 billion institution, what is your biggest investment concern for the fund in the current macroeconomic environment? 

Vinzons: Uncertainty is always the enemy, but we have a portfolio designed to weather volatility and are well positioned after a year of record returns.

AW:  How would you compare/contrast being the CIO of a $5 billion retirement fund versus directing the investments of a $13 billion retirement fund? 

Vinzons:  It is not dissimilar. Strategic asset allocation remains a key facet of institutional portfolio management no matter the size of the fund. The difference is in sizing manager allocations for best effect and efficiency. 

AW: How would you rank your priority objectives this year as CIO of CTPF? 

Vinzons: Developing our investment team, providing support to our talented staff, and ensuring that we continue to focus our efforts on implementing the Trustees’ objectives and meeting the goals of our investment policy.  

AW: What has been the biggest challenge you have faced so far in your role as an institutional fund investment director? 

Vinzons:  Information overload. There is a steep learning curve in a new organization, but I have a talented team who has helped me get up to speed quickly.   

AW: How would you describe your investment outlook/philosophy concerning alternative assets? 

Vinzons: We are not trying to time the market with any of our alternative investments. But we know that diversification whether by vintage year, sector, strategy, or geography is critical. In some cases, such as private equity, some of the best historical vintage years have followed periods of volatility in the public markets. 

AW: What is CTPF’s current exposure and policy exposure to alternative assets, and what new alternative assets do you think may have attractive prospects, i.e., cryptocurrencies, infrastructure, alternative energy, etc.? 

Vinzons: CTPF’s current exposure is approximately 18% vs 16% target. We continue to be positive about private equity’s prospects. We believe that performance across the best managers persists, and investors are rewarded for access to those funds. 

AW: What was the last book that you read?  And how did it grab you? 

Vinzons:  I just re-read The War of Art by Steven Pressfield for the third time. Whenever I need inspiration, this is the book I read. 

Tags: CIO TalksIllinois
ShareTweetShareSendSend
Previous Post

Barings raises infrastructure debt fund

Next Post

APG taps CEO in Asia

Mark Fortune

Mark Fortune

Mark Fortune has more than 30 years of experience as a financial writer and editor, with a focus on institutional investment management. He has worked in various editorial roles at organizations that include Institutional Investor, Pageant Media, Markets Group and, most recently, at New York investment management firm Cohen & Steers.

Related Posts

CPP invests in India's largest logistics RE markets
Investor News

CPP invests in India’s largest logistics RE markets

NY pension adds $1.2bn across PE, credit, HF and real estate programs
Pensions

NY pension adds $1.2bn across PE, credit, HF and real estate programs

Texas fund allocates $90m to private markets, reviews annual plan
Pensions

Texas fund allocates $90m to private markets, reviews annual plan

NJ DOI invests with existing alts managers
Pensions

NJ DOI invests with existing alts managers

Vidrio expands Qontigo partnership with portfolio and risk enhancements
Hedge Funds

Vidrio expands Qontigo partnership with portfolio and risk enhancements

Next Post
APG taps CEO in Asia

APG taps CEO in Asia

Alternatives Watch

© 2019-2022, All Rights Reserved  |  BMV Digital

Navigate Site

  • Hedge Funds
  • Private Equity
  • Private Credit
  • RE/Infrastructure
  • Investor News
  • Research
  • Subscribe
  • Log In

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Hedge Funds
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
    • CTAs/Managed Futures
  • Private Equity
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
  • Private Credit
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
  • RE/Infrastructure
    • Manager News
    • Mandates
    • Service Provider News
  • Investor News
    • Endowments and Foundations
    • ESG
    • Pensions
    • Platforms
    • Consultants
  • Research
    • Investor Scorecard
    • Manager Scorecard
  • Subscribe
  • Log In

© 2019-2022, All Rights Reserved  |  BMV Digital

Be an alts insider

Start your days in the know with our free newsletter

No, I don't want to be an alts insider

Thank

You!

Follow us
on LinkedIn

Lost your password?

Cookie Consent
We do not use cookies on our website other than those that are strictly necessary for the website to function. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all six strictly necessary cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie Settings Accept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Save & Accept
Powered by CookieYes Logo