Meet CFA’s Endorsed Candidates for the CalPERS 2025 Member-at-Large Election

Ballots for the CalPERS 2025 Member-at-Large Election are arriving in mailboxes this week. This election is an important opportunity to ensure that our pension dollars are managed responsibly and that the CalPERS Board continues to put members first. 

 With rising healthcare costs, ongoing political challenges to retirement security, and increasing pressure to chase risky, short-term investments, strong leadership on the CalPERS Board is more important than ever. 

CFA members have endorsed  David Miller and Troy Johnson—two experienced leaders with proven track records of protecting retirement security and advocating for public employees. 

“As faculty, one of our most important union benefits is our CalPERS pension,” said Melina Abdullah, CFA Political Action Legislative Committee Chair and CSU Los Angeles professor. “With so much financial and federal uncertainty, we need experienced, pro-worker fiduciaries representing us on the CalPERS Board. David Miller and Troy Johnson made it clear they are the candidates that understand faculty issues.”

You can vote online, by phone, or by mail as soon as your ballot arrives. Learn more at  votecalpers.org. 

Meet the Candidates 

David Miller for Position A 

David has been a strong voice for CalPERS members for decades. He co-founded California for Retirement Security, supported the Pension Protection Act, and opposed anti-pension ballot measures. 

A longtime public servant, David works as a Senior Environmental Scientist at the Department of Toxic Substances Control. He has also served as President and Board Member of the California Association of Professional Scientists, where he also held executive positions and served on several standing committees, including the Bargaining Team. 

David is committed to defending CalPERS, ensuring access to quality and affordable healthcare, and maximizing investment returns while honoring his fiduciary responsibility to members. 

Troy Johnson for Position B

Troy’s commitment to retirement security is rooted in personal experience. When his father faced a career-ending injury, his family struggled financially without a pension. But his mother, a CalPERS member, was able to retire with dignity. That experience fuels Troy’s dedication to protecting retirement for all public employees. 

For 33 years, Troy has served as a classified school employee and union leader, advocating for fair wages, strong benefits, and retirement security. Within the California School Employees Association (CSEA), he has served as Chapter President, Regional Representative, and State Director. 

As an experienced fiduciary, Troy has completed certificate programs through the Harvard School of Business and the American Management Association. He currently serves on the CSEA Investments Committee, where he has helped maintain the union’s pension plan at 100% funding. 

This communication is paid for by the California Faculty Association.