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Jim Burton's strong background in global markets and public finance, gained over a 30-year financial career in both the public and private sectors, provides California Strategies' clients expert perspective on complex financial and business activities and issues.
Prior to joining California Strategies, Burton expanded the global investment market in gold while serving as Chief Executive of the World Gold Council, a marketing, research and advocacy firm established by the world's leading gold mining companies. He led the development of the first gold-backed Exchange Traded Fund, which gained listing on the New York, London and 12 other national stock exchanges, achieving a market value of over $60 billion. He also introduced research and advocacy initiatives focused on removing barriers to investment in gold.
Burton's career in government was capped by his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of the California Public Employee Retirement System (CalPERS) from 1994 to 2002. Under his leadership, the $100 billion portfolio was expanded into new asset classes, and greater investor-owner influence was asserted with domestic and international underperforming portfolio holdings. He also served as Co-Chair of the Council of Institutional Investors and First Vice President of the National Association of State Retirement Administrators.
Burton also served as:
- Deputy State Controller of California, where he advised the State Controller on fiscal, tax exempt debt and pension policy
- Deputy California State Treasurer for pension policy and Executive Director of the Pooled Money Investment Board in the State Treasurer's Office
- Executive Director of the California Commission on State Finance, and
- Deputy Chief of Staff to the California Governor.
Burton currently is a member of the Board of Governors of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and chairs its audit committee. He also sits on the Advisory Board of Governance for Owners, a London based mid-cap value investment fund. He is active in a pro bono advisory role to African Rainbow Consulting addressing African business development. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of San Francisco.