Reeser named chief investment officer for UF Investment Corporation

September 26, 2014

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- William S. Reeser, who most recently oversaw investments for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, one of the nation’s two largest health care charities, has been named chief investment officer for the University of Florida Investment Corporation.

UFICO, as UF’s money management group is known, directs investments of more than $2.7 billion for the University of Florida Foundation, the University of Florida Research Foundation, the University Athletic Association, Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics, and the University of Florida. Reeser will begin his new duties as the corporation’s CIO on Nov. 10.

Reeser served for 14 years as senior vice president and chief investment officer at ALSAC/St. Jude’s in Memphis, Tenn., where he managed an investment portfolio larger than UFICO’s.

At ALSAC/St. Jude’s, Reeser has been responsible for building the organization’s investment strategy and structure, including the development of a diversified investment program and staffing. ALSAC/St. Jude’s investment performance has consistently ranked above its peers.

“Bill Reeser is a highly seasoned CIO who brings a wealth of experience and a keen eye for successful investments to UFICO,” said UFICO Chair Andrew Banks. “We are fortunate to have him lead UFICO's talented and dedicated team of investment professionals.”

“UFICO’s success is vital to the university’s future, so it needs sound and solid leadership,” UF President Bernie Machen said. “Bill’s exceptional background and his more than three decades of experience in the investment world give me tremendous confidence that he’s the exactly right person for that job.”

Reeser, who has 35 years of experience in financial management, started his career at VALIC, a provider of retirement investment programs primarily for higher education and healthcare organizations. In 1986, he joined the Copeland Companies, a third-party administrator and pension manager, to open its new regional office. After nine years with Copeland, he opened his own firm, Reeser Advisory Services, before joining ALSAC/St. Jude’s in 2000.

Reeser received his bachelor’s degree in logistics from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from the University of Memphis. He and his wife, Karin, have three adult sons.

The University of Florida Investment Corporation is governed by a separate Board of Directors appointed by the president of the university. The board approves the investment policies, objectives and broad asset allocations for the various investment pools managed by UFICO. UFICO staff perform the day-to-day operational investment activities.