In 1987, the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) initiated its “Focus List” program. Under this program, CalPERS identifies companies to a preliminary list. CalPERS then contacts these companies for the purpose of “encouraging” corporate governance changes. If CalPERS is satisfied with a company’s response, then it is not named to the public Focus List. In 2009, for example, CalPERS identified 13 companies to its preliminary list and four companies were ultimately named in the Focus List. In the preceding decade (1999-2008), CalPERS engaged a total of 155 companies, 59 of which became Focus List companies and 96 which did not. Interestingly, no companies were publicly named in 2010.

In the last few months, the CalPERS staff has reevaluated its Focus List methodology. Today, the Investment Committee will consider these proposed changes to the Focus List methodology.