GERS launches implementation phase of Velocity migration; Havenside Mall hotel near completion

The Government Employees Retirement System reported progress on its IT migration and on several facilities projects during the June 18, 2025 meeting.

Administrator Angel Dawson said the system completed the Velocity migration's launch phase and began the implementation phase. The first subphase of implementation — a base migration — is expected to last about 13 months and will be followed by application stabilization, functional testing, automated regression testing and further configuration and enhancements of the pension benefit system. Dawson told trustees the migration will be reviewed in more detail at the board retreat next month and that representatives from the vendor VITAC and other staff (including Linnea) will attend.

On operations, Dawson reported several facility improvements. On St. Croix, parking-lot lighting projects were completed; ceiling repairs and parking-lot striping are outstanding with bids received from three companies for striping. The administrator said one elevator is out of order and another runs very slowly, and staff plan to replace gate posts and address elevator service. The Havenside Mall hotel development was reported at about 95% complete; administrators said reservations were being taken for September 1 and a soft opening was expected in August. The visitor center at the site is under construction and progressing.

Dawson also said the Division of Personnel had an outstanding electricity balance of about $37,000 as of the date of the report; administrators noted this balance may have been paid since the report.

Why it matters: The migration to a new pension administration system is central to recordkeeping and member service. Facility repairs and the Havenside Mall development affect tenant revenue and operations that support the retirement system's income stream.