Phila. pension board replacing executive director

The Philadelphia Board of Pensions and Retirement voted yesterday to replace its executive director, Gwendolyn Bell.

"Over time, organizations change and organizations' needs change," said City Finance Director Rob Dubow, who chairs the board.

Similarly, vice chairman Bill Rubin said: "We felt we were looking for some new ideas and a new direction."

Bell, who has held the job since 2002, did not return a phone call yesterday. Her salary is $115,000, and she oversees a staff of about 60. Her last day will be Jan. 8. The nine-member board named Bell's deputy, James Kidwell, as acting executive director, and named a committee to initiate a search for a permanent replacement. - Marcia Gelbart