Mendocino County retirement board honors trustee Richard Shoemaker for nearly 30 years of service

The Mendocino County Board of Retirement opened its Jan. 1 meeting by reading a proclamation honoring Richard Shoemaker for his long service to the retirement system.

Chair Land read the board’s proclamation, which noted Shoemaker’s service as an appointed Board of Supervisors representative from 1997–2005, his election as a retiree representative in 2011, and contributions including work on King’s Court improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades and benefit-correction projects. The proclamation praised Shoemaker’s experience in contracting, project management and local business leadership and thanked him for what it described as a sustained commitment to protecting plan assets and preserving member benefits.

Shoemaker responded with personal remarks about his time on the board, recalling early staff and actuary relationships and emphasizing the need to protect both individual retirees and the health of the system. He thanked trustees and staff and said he may "drop in by Zoom" after his retirement.

The recognition was ceremonial; no board action was required.

Next procedural business followed after the presentation.