R. Crit Thomas

STRS Ohio is funded through investment returns and contributions made by members and their employers. Two-thirds of STRS Ohio’s investment assets are managed internally by more than 100 Investment Department professionals. These associates oversee diversified portfolios of equity (common and preferred stock), fixed-income, international, real estate investments and alternative (e.g., private equity). The mix of investments is designed to provide high, long-term yields while minimizing exposure to risk.

Equity selection is performed from a bottom-up approach with specific emphasis on growth and value. Fundamental analysis is conducted with emphasis on medium to large-cap stocks having strong balance sheets and favorable growth prospects. Stocks are further evaluated based on their price relative to cash flow, earnings, book value and dividends. For fixed-income, the economic outlook and monetary policy, among other indicators, are used to assess the risk adjusted return potential in the fixed-income market. Rising interest rates call for shorter maturities while falling rates indicate the need for longer maturities. U.S. government and tax-exempt bonds are typically used as the fixed-income assets. They are selected in order to achieve the target duration while balancing current income, capital appreciation potential and risk. Cash equivalents are emphasized when expected returns from stocks and bonds are too low and as reserves for defensive purposes.

New Covenant Trust Co. offers traditional financial planning and investment management services in a manner consistent with the principles and values of Christian stewardship. They employ a socially responsible investing approach that makes investment decisions consistent with the social-witness principles adopted by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. The New Covenant Funds may also limit investments in companies involved in gambling, alcohol and firearm-related issues. The Funds may opt to sell otherwise profitable investments in companies with practices that conflict with these social-witness principles. New Covenant also takes an active role in promoting other socially responsible practices involving issues such as: a company's actions towards its employees, how it interacts with the communities in which it manufactures and sells its products and its environmental record. New Covenant manages the following funds: the New Covenant Growth Fund, the New Covenant Income Fund, the New Covenant Balanced Growth Fund, the New Covenant Balanced Income Fund and the New Covenant Treasury Obligations Fund. The New Covenant Growth Fund invests primarily in the common stocks and other equity securities of companies of all sizes. The Fund invests in US and foreign companies that are believed to have long-term growth potential. The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation. Dividend income, if any, will be incidental. The New Covenant Income Fund invests primarily in corporate bonds and government bonds issued or guaranteed by the US government or one of its agencies and in MBS and ABS of varying maturities. The Fund strives to provide income to complement a portfolio of more aggressive investments. The New Covenant Balanced Growth Fund invests in a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds with an emphasis on growth. The Fund invests approximately 60% of its assets in shares of the New Covenant Growth Fund with the balance of its assets in shares of the New Covenant Income Fund. The Fund seeks to provide capital appreciation with less risk than would be present in a portfolio of only common stocks. The New Covenant Balanced Income Fund seeks to provide current income and long-term growth of capital. It seeks to provide capital appreciation with less risk than would be present in a portfolio of only common stocks. The Fund invests in a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds with an emphasis on income. Approximately 65% of its assets are invested in the shares of the New Covenant Income Fund with the balance of its assets invested in shares of the New Covenant Growth Fund. The New Covenant Treasury Obligations Fund seeks to provide current income consistent with stability of principal. The Fund invests primarily in a portfolio of short-term US Treasury securities. These investments include purchase agreements collateralized fully by US Treasury securities.

PNC Erieview Capital invests in middle market companies located in North America with an enterprise value of more than USD 5 million and EBITDA of more than USD 5 million. The firm targets companies operating in the fields of distribution, consumer products, healthcare and manufacturing services. It provides financing in the form of subordinated debt, mezzanine, preferred equity, common equity finance for leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, secondaries and growth transactions with an investment size of USD 5 - 65 million. The firm acts as a lead investor and co-investor & also acquires minority interest.

Functions as a College/University