"Cortex has assisted SFERS in refocusing its resources on a prioritized list of tasks with clear accountability and defined responsibilities. The recommendations that Cortex has proposed and the firm's interaction with the Board and staff have resulted in significant improvement in the efficient use of Board time and effort and an increase in staff's productivity and focus."

“I have been extremely impressed with the tremendous insight that Cortex brings to the governance process. While I served as the Director of the Virginia Retirement System, John Por and his staff assisted with the "mapping" of the core responsibilities of the major decisions facing the system. This in-depth "decision matrix" helped the board understand both its responsibilities and the value the board brought to the governance process.”

"The quality of your firm's planning skills, information gathering, attention to detail, thorough research and analysis of PERA's operating environment were evident in your pertinent and inclusive final report. The PERA Board's acceptance of your recommendations has set a very clear path for PERA's future."

“We are working with Cortex in revising and establishing most of our fundamental governance structure. In that process Cortex has provided strategic, theoretical thinking shaped by an understanding of the way pension plans actually function. As a manager it is invaluable to have a resource help you stay focused on objectives beyond the immediate fray – but one that is also able to connect the two.”

“The interactive governance workshop conducted by Cortex gave the members of my Board of Trustees a common sense framework within which they were able to evaluate and improve upon the governance pro-cedures they have adopted to facilitate their oversight of retirement system operations.”

"You and your team were instrumental in helping us recognize the need to treat the Defined Contribution Plan differently and helped us draft statements which clearly reflect our beliefs. You worked with us to understand our structure and unique situation. You challenged some of our existing arrangements and put forward suggestions which we considered and for the most part have adopted."

"I would like to commend you on the professional manner in which you and your staff have helped us develop a better understanding of defined contribution pension plan governance processes.

We were very impressed with the quality of work prepared by you and your team and found the discussion of your findings and recommendations … very helpful and informative. Since that time, we have expanded Cortex's mandate to include assisting Petro-Canada in developing a policy framework for the management of the DC Option."

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