SAN FRANCISCO — The James Irvine Foundation has named Tim Recker as its new Chief Investment Officer. (The Foundation’s current CIO, John Jenks, will retire in January after more than 14 years of service.) Recker currently serves as the managing director for private equity and real assets at the Regents of the University of California, where he leads a team of 10 people that manages a $9 billion portfolio.

“The management of Irvine’s endowment, which funds our grantmaking, is critical to our mission,” said Don Howard, president and CEO of The James Irvine Foundation. “Tim’s strong record leading private investments will be vital in continuing the endowment’s strong performance.”

Isaac Stein, the founder and president of the private investment firm Waverley Associates, is a member of the Irvine Foundation’s Board of Directors and led the search for the new CIO. “Not only has Tim delivered great results throughout his investment career, he shares a unique passion for, and commitment to, Irvine’s mission,” said Stein. “His management experience in finance and operations positions him well to make important contributions to the Foundation.”

At the University of California Regents, Recker started the Real Assets Program, built an Opportunistic Cross-Asset Class strategy and a successful co-investment program. Prior to the UC Regents, he was director of alternative investments at The State of Michigan Retirement Systems, overseeing a $13 billion portfolio. Recker’s formative career experience was as a trainee in the Financial Management Program at General Electric, where we went on to become a leader.

“I am honored and excited to join the Irvine Foundation at such a pivotal point in its history,” said Recker. “I am committed to ensuring that the endowment remains strong as the Foundation invests in the critical work of grantees striving to expand opportunity for the people of California.”

Recker will officially start at the Irvine Foundation on November 14.

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About the James Irvine Foundation

The James Irvine Foundation is a private, nonprofit grantmaking foundation dedicated to expanding opportunity for the people of California. The Foundation’s grantmaking focuses on expanding economic and political opportunity for families and young adults who are working but struggling with poverty. Since 1937 the Foundation has provided over $1.5 billion in grants to more than 3,600 nonprofit organizations throughout California. With about $2 billion in assets, the Foundation made grants of $74 million in 2015. For more information, please visit our website: www.irvine.org.