New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. announced today that Deborah E. Gallegos will serve as Chief Investment Officer. Gallegos assumes her duties January 3.

“I am pleased to welcome Deborah Gallegos to the Comptroller’s Office,” Thompson said. “She brings a wealth of leadership skills and significant experience in both public pension policy and the private sector. She most certainly will be a valuable asset to my office.”

The Comptroller serves as investment advisor and custodian to five retirement systems with total assets of about $85 billion.

In this role, Gallegos will supervise the development of overall investment policies, standards and guidelines. The CIO also will oversee the Bureau of Asset Management’s evaluation and oversight of investment advisors and consultants. The CIO is responsible for collaborating in the development and recommendation of investment policy and assisting in the recommendation and management of investment advisors.

“I am excited by this opportunity to return to New York City,” Gallegos said. “This position will allow me to use my professional experience in both the public and private arenas to work on behalf of the trustees and the members of the New York City Retirement Systems.”

Ms. Gallegos most recently served as the Deputy State Investment Officer for the New Mexico State Investment Council, where she oversaw a significant asset reallocation and implementation of a comprehensive private equity program.

Prior to her appointment, Ms. Gallegos was a Vice President at JP Morgan Fleming Asset Management in New York City, where she worked for six years for its Global Emerging Markets Fund. She also worked for Morgan Stanley & Co. in its equity research group.

Ms. Gallegos began her career in finance working for Callan Associates, a pension fund consulting firm, evaluating international equity, fixed income and venture capital investments. Ms. Gallegos received her MBA in Finance and BA in Political Economy from the University of California, Berkeley. Additionally, she serves on the Governing Board of the Robert Toigo Foundation.

Gallegos was selected after a nationwide search. Executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles of Houston, Texas, assisted with the search.

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