Ron Baker, chief administrative officer of Colorado’s Public Employees Retirement Association, was named interim executive director of the state pension plan Friday.

PERA trustees appointed Baker to take over PERA’s top spot following the death of Greg Smith, who passed away unexpectedly last week during a family vacation in Hawaii.

Baker has been with PERA since 1994 and chief administrative officer since 2013.

“I want to thank the Board for their confidence in me – it’s truly humbling to assume this role at this difficult time,” Baker said in a statement Friday. “We will continue to work guided by the example set by Greg in serving the 560,000 current and former Colorado public employees who rely on PERA.”

Baker is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in mathematics, and a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business.

According to PERA, Baker will serve in the interim position until a permanent executive director is named. The PERA board plans to begin the search for that position next month.