Retired Revenue Tax Director from Louisiana Department of Revenue

Please reelect me to the LASERS Board.

I will work to:

• Provide a sound retirement plan that will meet the security and financial needs of our members.
• Provide COLAs and protect benefits.
• Protect LASERS assets and maintain a sound investment program.
• Provide guidance and services retirees and members need to make good retirement decisions.

I will fight against:

• Elimination of COLAs and Reductions in Benefits.
• Attempts to weaken the system by unsound investments or special interest legislation.

Qualifications:

• LASERS elected Board Member 24 years, LA Deferred Compensation elected Board Member 18 years, and RSEA member 17 years.
• During my service on the LASERS Board several COLAs were obtained, overseas Board travel was eliminated, Board members limited to 3 consecutive terms, and defended against Legislative efforts to reduce benefits.
• CPA, Certified Employee Benefit Specialist, and Certified Fraud Examiner (retired).
• 35+ year career in State Government having worked at Revenue, LASERS, DHHR, DOA, DOTD and Legislative Auditors.
• Passionate about protecting your interest and providing you information to help you live with dignity in your retirement.

My name is Kevin Shannahan. I retired from the Louisiana Department of Health in January of this year. I am running for one of the seats on the LASERS Board for retired members. I am running for the LASERS Board because I believe every state employee can achieve a dignified retirement and I would like to help that happen.

The single most important responsibility of the LASERS Board is fiercely protecting the independence of the system from both political influence and interference. The system has a fiduciary responsibility to the members. That responsibility should be the only consideration guiding investment decisions. Not only is LASERS the main, or sole, source of income for retired state employees, the pensions are ultimately backed by the taxpayers. This is not the place for political posturing.

Retirement actually starts well before an employee’s last day. If elected, I will seek to expand LASERS’ education and outreach efforts. Every employee should know the plan he or she is covered under, their DROP date and number of consecutive months covered by OGB should they wish to continue insurance after retirement at the full 75% subsidy. Surprises are seldom pleasant when it comes to retirement!

Qualifications

• Thirty-nine years governmental experience in Administration, Auditing, Finance, Management
• LASERS Trustee, Active Member for 12 years (served as Chairman, 3 terms)
• LA Deferred Compensation Commission Member (elected July 2022)
• Retired from La Dept. of Natural Resources, Undersecretary
• Also, worked at La Dept. of Transportation as Fiscal Administrator,
• Division of Administration, Office of Statewide Reporting and Accounting Policy as Assistant Director
• Office of the Legislative Auditor as Senior and Staff Auditor
• Iberville Parish Police Jury as Treasurer and Business Manager
• City of Beaumont as Finance Director
• City of Lubbock as Finance Director

Education

• Bachelor of Science (Accounting) – Nicholls State University
• Master of Public Administration – Louisiana State University
• Certified Public Accountant (Inactive)

Platform

• Maintain a stable, financially sound, professionally managed system to provide for benefits to current and future retirees
• Work to eliminate the Federal Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO)
• Ensure that Legislative positions represent the best interest of the system and members
• Perform with the highest fiduciary integrity