Topeka ? Gov. Sam Brownback on Monday appointed five businessmen to serve on a commission that could have a big impact on the lives of thousands of Kansans.

Brownback made the appointments to the 13-member Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Study Commission. He reiterated his desire to move toward 401(k)-style plan for all new state employees, and added that he will make that a top priority of his administration.

The commission will consider alternative public employee retirement plans, including 401 (k)-style plans, or hybrid plans that could include the current defined benefits system.

“Independent analysts have found the structure of KPERS remains unsustainable,” Brownback said. “The commission needs to protect existing beneficiaries and move towards a defined contribution system for all new state employees in order to restore balance and security to KPERS. Adoption of such recommendations will be a top priority for the next legislative session,” he said.

The remaining 8 members to the commission will be appointed by legislative leaders.

Those picked by Brownback are:

— Edward Condon of Leawood. He is chief operating officer of Sterneck Capital Management, LLC.

—  Christopher Long of Mission Hills. He is president and founder of Palmer Square Capital Management LLC.

— Paul Seyferth of Fairview. He is a founding member of Seyferth Blumenthal and Harris, LLC.

— Richard W. Stumpf of Wichita. He has been with Financial Benefits, Inc. since 1988 where he is a certified financial planner and a certified Employee Benefits Specialist. 

— Brian Winter of Dodge City. A rancher, he also manages and owns Winter Livestock, Inc. 

The Commission will report its recommendations to the 2012 Legislature.