Draper and Kramer, Incorporated‘s James Hayes, chief financial officer for the Chicago-based company, was appointed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to serve as a member of the state’s Teachers’ Retirement System Board of Trustees.
Once confirmed by the state Senate, Hayes will join the 15-member board in providing fiduciary oversight and strategic direction for one of the largest public pension systems in the United States, with assets and investments totaling more than $85 billion.
Hayes joined Draper and Kramer in 2017 and has played a key role in the significant transformation and growth of the company, including the consolidation of its real estate holdings into a $1.2 billion real estate equity fund, DK Fund, LP.
Before joining Draper and Kramer, Hayes began his career with the audit practice of Arthur Andersen LLC, then took a role as controller and treasurer of Prism Mortgage Company, which became one of the top 25 mortgage originators in the United States. After a successful initial public offering, the company was acquired by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). He continued with RBC, focused on U.S.-based mergers and acquisitions.
Hayes holds an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University.
