Rochester, New York, native John Barron “Jack” Ehnes was appointed chief executive officer of CalSTRS in 2002. 

Ehnes earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, then a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University before moving to Colorado. After a stint as Colorado deputy insurance commissioner, he was appointed insurance commissioner by Governor Roy Romer in 1994, a post he held for five years. Ehnes was also a board trustee for the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association for 11 years, serving as either chair or vice-chair of the board for six years. Ehnes went to work for Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company of Denver, Colorado, in December 2000 where he was a trustee/plan administrator for Great-West employees’ defined benefit and contribution plans, and the vice president for corporate affairs.

In addition to his work for CalSTRS, Ehnes is also a board member for the National Council on Teacher Retirement, National Institute on Retirement Security, the Public Employees Board of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, and Ceres—a nonprofit organization that leads a national network of investors, nonprofits and environmental groups in formulating policies and practices addressing sustainability issues. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Council on Aging.

Former board and task force memberships include the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Council of Institutional Investors, which he chaired.

He and his wife—attorney Lucinda “Cindy” Ehnes, CEO of the California Children’s Hospital Association—live in Sacramento and have two daughters.

Cindy Ehnes was director of the California Department of Managed Health Care from 2004-2011, is a former member of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team and won seven gold medals in international skiing competitions. She lost her hand in a meet grinder accident while working her way through college at a fast-food restaurant. Ehnes suspended her education for a few years to become the first disabled representative for the Bonnie Bell exhibition ski team. She has authored two books on the rights of those with disabilities.

Chief Executive Officer (CalSTRS website)

Chief Executive Officer Named for CalSTRS (Press release)