Mr. Lugo leads LACERA’s operations and strategic direction, serving as the executive and administrative head of the organization. He brings a deep record of administrative and operational leadership across public, private, and healthcare sectors to his role of safeguarding the pensions and benefits of LACERA’s more than 200,000 active and retired members.
As retirement administrator to the Boards of Retirement and Investments, Mr. Lugo implements the boards’ strategic priorities, policies and directives; oversees the delivery of retirement, disability, survivor, and health benefits; and ensures the sound management of the organization. He guides organizational priorities, budget development, compliance, legislative strategy, external partnerships, and member service to support LACERA’s mission and protect the long-term integrity of the retirement system.
Mr. Lugo has served as LACERA CEO since February 2026. He originally joined LACERA in July 2021 as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. In March 2025, he was appointed Acting CEO, a position he held until his permanent selection. Before coming to LACERA, he served as Chief Operating Officer for the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association (MN PERA), the state’s largest public pension system, directing critical operational functions that supported public employees statewide. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lugo spent more than a decade with the Social Security Administration, and held various leadership positions overseeing multistate field operations. His professional background also includes leadership roles in the private sector and healthcare organizations, further broadening his operational and managerial expertise.
Mr. Lugo earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a Master of Business Administration from Hamline University.
