Ronda Stegmann - who had been serving as interim director since Jan. 18 - is the Missouri State Employees Retirement System's new executive director.
Stegmann became interim director when the Board of Directors fired John Watson, by a 7-4 vote, for what was described then as being "in the interests of more effectively addressing the Board's priorities as to the performance, direction and operation of the System."
The board voted 10-0 to approve Stegmann's promotion.
She had been working as MOSERS' legislative and policy coordinator when she was named interim director in January, and came to the retirement system three years ago - in June 2015 - after serving 16 years with the state Legislature's Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement, including six years as that committee's director.
Stegmann was chosen after a national search by the Korn Ferry executive search firm.
Crystal Wessing, who chairs the MOSERS board, said in a news release: "The national search yielded an impressive list of candidates and, ultimately, the board unanimously agreed Ronda's leadership, passion, and ability to engage all stakeholders are the best fit for MOSERS, and what's best for our members."
Board member Gary Metzger chaired the Executive Director Search Committee, and said in the news release that Stegmann "brings stability and will move MOSERS forward. The unanimous support from the board shows that Ronda, with her strong management skills and passion for MOSERS' mission, is the right person to lead MOSERS into the future."
MOSERS manages more than $8 billion in assets and administers retirement, long-term disability insurance, life insurance and deferred compensation benefits for approximately 113,000 present and former state employees and their beneficiaries.
The 11-member MOSERS board includes three members elected by active and retired employees, four lawmakers appointed by the House and Senate leaders, two members appointed by the governor, and the state treasurer and commissioner of the Office of Administration.
The board currently is one member short, after Shannon Owens, who was an active-employee member and the former chair, left state employment.
State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, on Monday replaced Rep. Justin Alferman, R-Hermann, after new Gov. Mike Parson tabbed Alferman as the new administration's legislative director.
The other members are state Rep. John Wiemann, R-O'Fallon; state Sens. Wayne Wallingford, R-Cape Girardeau, and Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors; Joe Keifer and Metzger, both appointed to the board last July by then-Gov. Eric Greitens; retiree Don Martin; Treasurer Eric Schmitt and OA Commissioner Sarah Steelman; and Wessing, the other active-employee member.
Wessing - who had voted against Watson's firing last January - said in Wednesday's statement: "We are proud to have Ronda at the helm."