Regional Peel Executive Director named OMERS Chair

(BRAMPTON) - Feb. 4 - At its first meeting of the year, Emil Kolb, Chair of the Regional Municipality of Peel Police Services Board acknowledged the election of Mr. Frederick Biro, Executive Director, to the position of Chair of the OMERS Board, effective January 1, 2004.

"This is a great honour, and a great responsibility for Mr. Biro," says Mr. Kolb. "It also continues the great tradition of public service by Peel employees well beyond the boundaries of our Region."

Mr. Kolb says Mr. Biro's appointment as Chair is significant for the entire police sector, as Mr. Biro is the first police employer representative ever appointed to the OMERS Board.

"It is a privilege to serve as Chair of OMERS," says Mr. Biro. "My primary responsibility is to represent the interests of the entire membership, and to ensure the security of current and future pension obligations. Having said that, there is no doubt that I will draw upon the experience and knowledge I have gained at the Peel PSB."

"In particular, I have been very fortunate in working with some outstanding citizens of Peel, who through their time on the police services board have embodied the very spirit of public service," says Mr. Biro. "It is their example I hope to draw upon during my time as Chair of OMERS."

OMERS is one of Canada's largest pension funds and provides secure retirement benefits to 330,000 active and retired members on behalf of over 900 local government employers across the province. Among its investments in Peel is part ownership of Square One, and a minority interest in Enersource.

OMERS is governed by six employer representatives and six employee representatives, and one provincial representative, all appointed by the Government of Ontario. Mr. Frederick Biro was first appointed to the OMERS Board in January, 2000, and had served on a number of Committees, including governance and investment, and most recently as Vice-Chair in 2003.

For further information:

Frederick Biro, Executive Director, Peel Police Services Board,
(905) 458-1340