Board Elections

​​​​​​​​​​2026 KERS Trustee Election 

KERS members may vote for two candidates to serve a four-year term beginning April 1, 2026. Ballots are mailed or available online January 20, 2026.

The voting deadline is March 1, 2026. Members must cast their electronic vote online or ensure their paper ballot is postmarked by March 1, 2026. Follow the instructions provided in your email notification or your paper ballot to cast your vote. 

Meet the Candidates

David Adkins - Current KERS Trustee

Mr. Adkins is an Attorney at Law and currently serves as the Executive Director for the Council of State Governments. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and earned his J.D. from the University of Kansas. Mr. Adkins is a member of the National Academy of Public Administration. He resides in Lexington, Kentucky.

Candidate Statement: None provided.

Larry Totten

Mr. Totten is a retired member of KERS. Prior to retirement he served in various positions throughout the state with the Kentucky Department of Parks. Mr. Totten has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Lindsey Wilson College and has completed significant coursework towards a Master’s in Public Administration at Murray State University. Mr. Totten is a Certified Public Manager and Certified Hotel Administrator. He serves as President of the Kentucky Public Retirees, Treasurer of the Kentucky Public Pension Coalition, and is a member of the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Managers. He resides
​​in Frankfort, Kentucky.

​Candidate Statement: "Since 2013, I have attended and reported on about 500 in-person and virtual meetings of KRS, CERS, and KPPA and will continue to do so as an elected KERS Trustee because keeping you informed is important for members. It was an honor and privilege to be on the KRS Board from 2021-2022 and l look forward to earning a full term in 2026. It is my personal belief that a retiree should sit in one of these two seats, and I ask for your consideration.​​"

Tom Coker

Mr. Coker is a Project Management Professional and currently serves as the Executive Advisor for the Kentucky Communications Network Authority. He earned an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems from Ivy Tech Community College. Mr. Coker resides in Richmond, Kentucky.

Candidate Stattement: "With over a decade of financial and strategic leadership experience, I have a proven record of aligning complex systems with long-term objectives. I will commit this expertise to the Board of Trustees to safeguard the retirement security of Kentucky’s public employees.​"

Mark Baker

Mr. Baker is an Attorney at Law and currently serves as the Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney for the 30th Judicial Circuit. He has a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Kentucky and earned his J.D. from the University of Louisville. Mr. Baker resides in Louisville, Kentucky.​

Candidate Statement: "I am a 26-year participant in KERS, have 20 years of experience as a prosecutor in the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, and am an avid personal investor. I look forward to using that experience to represent you on the Board of Trustees."
​

Mike Riley

Mr. Riley currently serves as the Director of Human Resources for the Bluegrass Area Development District. He earned his Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Psychology from Morehead State University. Mr. Riley resides in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

Candidate Statem​ent: "I have 21 years of experience within the framework of KPPA, with 15 of those being service within the KERS system. As current HR Director, I understand the need for all  employees to fully understand the benefits available to them, and want to make sure those benefits are accessible and well accounted for on a state level. I would like to use this experience to serve on the Board of Trustees."