Staff Bios
Donald C. Kendig, CPA
Retirement Administrator
Admin: 559-457-4400
Main: 559-457-0681
Fax: 559-457-0318
Responsibilities/Summary
Under direction of the Board of Retirement, the FCERA Retirement Administrator plans, organizes, directs and administers the activities of the FCERA, a 1937 County Employees’ Retirement Act (1937 Act) agency. The Administrator is responsible for directing the operations of FCERA, implementing and monitoring Board policy, and coordinating the activities of contracting, investing and consulting firms on behalf of the Board
Professional Background
Mr. Kendig’s service at FCERA started on November 5, 2014. His career in retirement plan administration began on January 1, 2003, previously serving as Retirement Administrator, for 2 years, for the Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association (VCERA), a similarly sized 1937 Act agency. Initially, he served as a Trustee, for 9 years, on the Board of Retirement for Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement System (SBCERS), also a 1937 Act agency.
In addition to Mr. Kendig’s career in retirement plan administration, Mr. Kendig served for approximately eight years as the Chief Financial Officer for the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD), a local government agency that protects the people and the environment of Santa Barbara County from the effects of air pollution. While serving, he was responsible for the facilities and financial activities, which included purchasing, accounts payable (A/P), accounts receivable (A/R), collections, payroll, internal & external financial reporting, budgeting, fixed asset depreciation & reserves, State and Federal grant administration, and contracting. He also served as the SBCAPCD’s Safety Officer and Risk Manager.
Degrees
Business Economics with Accounting Emphasis (high honors), University of California, Santa Barbara. A.A. Liberal Arts & Sciences (honors), Palomar College.
Certifications
Mr. Kendig possesses an active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, No. 78000, initially issued August 1999 and renewed April of every odd year.
Supplemental Education
Certificates for Hedge Funds, Real Estate and Other Alternative Investments; Advanced Investments Management; and, Fundamentals of Money Management from the University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School. Certificates for Principles of Pension Management and Fiduciary Law from the Stanford University Law School. Certificate for Public Pension Investment Management from the University of California, Berkeley - Walter A. Haas School of Business. Certificate for Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People from the San Luis Obispo County Employee University. Certificates for Labor Relations and Arbitration from the California Public Employers Labor Relations Association. Certificate for Leadership Principles and Practices from Leadership Santa Barbara County.
Memberships
Mr. Kendig is a member of the Sierra Toastmasters Club 135 and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Other Activities
Mr. Kendig’s other activities include supporting his growing family, hiking and mountain biking, and exploring all that the San Joaquin Valley, neighboring Sierra Nevada mountains, and national parks have to offer. He loves technology that improves the quality of life and often dabbles in the cutting edge.
Responsibilities
Executive Assistant to the Retirement Administrator and Board of Retirement.
Background
Elizabeth began her career with Fresno County in 2000 with the ACTTC Office as an Office Assistant I and quickly promoted to Executive Assistant with FCERA in 2005. Elizabeth has served three Retirement Administrators and numerous Trustees over the years and is dedicated to serving the Public and the FCERA Team Members in her role as Executive Assistant.
Responsibilities
As the Benefits Manager, Ms. Montoya organizes, plans, and supervises the activities of all benefits staff.
Background
Prior to working for the County of Fresno, Ms. Montoya worked in the private sector for 19 years. She began her career with FCERA in 2008 as an Account Clerk II and in 2009 was promoted via the competitive process to a Retirement Specialist. In 2016 Ms. Montoya became the Benefits Manager, leading a team of five Retirement Specialists. Ms. Montoya has a Bachelor’s of Science in Accounting from the University of Phoenix.
Responsibilities
As the Retirement Communications Officer, Ms. Baker is responsible for the design and distribution of internal and external communication. She plans education and outreach to active, deferred and retired members of FCERA and responds to inquiries from the general community.
Background
Prior to working for Fresno County, Ms. Baker worked in case management, customer service, and management in the social services field and in hospitality and tourism. She started with Fresno County Department of Social Services in May 2015 as an Eligibility Worker. In February 2016 she moved to FCERA as the Retirement Communications Officer. Ms. Baker has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Central Connecticut State University.
Responsibilities
Mr. Mayer oversees FCERA's Telecommunications, Web Site, Systems, Hardware, and Network activities.
Background
Prior to FCERA, Mr. Mayer worked for Fresno County Department of Social Services as an Office Assistant and an Eligibility Worker. Mr. Mayer joined FCERA in 2017.
Responsibilities
Mr. Ramirez oversees FCERA’s Web Site, Hardware, Telecommunications, and Network activities.
Background
Mr. Ramirez started with FCERA in June 2016 as an Account Clerk I. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from DeVry University.
Responsibilities
Mr. Dorsey oversees the daily operations of the Retirement Specialist Unit.
Background
Mr. Dorsey has worked for the County of Fresno for over 20 years, 14 with FCERA. He obtained is Associates Degree from Fresno City College and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Fresno State in 2017.
Responsibilities
As the Supervising Retirement Technician, Ms. Peña organizes, plans, and supervises the activities of the Retirement Technician staff.
Background
Ms. Peña Joined the FCERA team in 2016 as an Office Assistant and in 2018 was promoted via the competitive process to the Supervising Retirement Technician. Prior to her career with Fresno County, Ms. Peña spent eight years working in Tax Preparation and Property Management.
Responsibilities
Mr. Hinds oversees the daily operations of the Accounting and Payroll Unit.
Background
Prior to working with FCERA, Mr. Hinds was the Assistant Business Manager for Clear Channel Worldwide from 2000-2003. He has also previously served as the Accounting Supervisor for California Industrial Services from 1999-2000 and an Accountant for Hinds Hospice Home Foundation from 1996-1999. Mr. Hinds has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accountancy Option from California State University, Fresno.
Retirement Specialists
Background
After 10+ years in the private sector, Mr. Gonzalez decided to change paths. He obtained his degree in accounting and then joined the County of Fresno in the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office. In 2013, after being successful in the Special Accounting unit, he made the transition to the Retirement Association as a Retirement Specialist.
Background
Ms. Jantz began her career with FCERA as an Account Clerk II in 2000. Using the experience and knowledge she gained in this area, in 2001 she was promoted to a Retirement Specialist.
Mai Donna Lor
Retirement Specialist
Background: Ms. Lor began her career with Fresno County in April 2014 as an Account Clerk I with the Department of Child Support Services in the Program Accounting Unit. With the experience and knowledge she gained, she transferred to FCERA in December 2015 as an Account Clerk II. Later in March 2016, she was promoted to a Retirement Specialist. Ms. Lor has a Bachelor of Science with an Accounting option from California State University of Fresno.
Email: mailor@co.fresno.ca.us
Background
Ms. Lor started her career with the County of Fresno in the Department of Child Support Services as an Account Clerk in April 2015. She gained knowledge and experience working in the Program Accounting Unit before transitioning to FCERA as a Retirement Specialist in October of 2015. Ms. Lor has a Bachelor of Science, Accountancy Option from California State University in Fresno.
Virginia Meza
Retirement Specialist
Background
Prior to working for the County of Fresno, Ms. Meza worked in the non-profit sector for eight years in which she gained experience in Accounting. She began her career with FCERA in August of 2015 as an Account Clerk III and later was promoted to a Retirement Specialist in March 2016. Ms. Meza has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accountancy Option from California State University, Fresno.
Email: vmeza@co.fresno.ca.us
Background
Prior to working for FCERA, Mr. Wong worked for The Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL gaining experience in leadership, guest service, and management. He then moved back to Fresno and worked in public accounting for over 3 years. He began his career at FCERA in February 2015 as an Account Clerk II. Later in September 2015, he was promoted via the competitive process to a Retirement Specialist. Mr. Wong has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Accountancy Option, from California State University, Fresno.