The California Public Employees Retirement System board chose Rob Feckner, a 27-year school employee and union official, as its president Wednesday, replacing ousted labor leader Sean Harrigan, who led the board since 2003.

Feckner has been serving as acting president since the ouster of his controversial predecessor on Dec. 2.

Feckner, who was picked in a 12-0 vote, had predicted his election would result more in a change of personal style than a shift in policy, pledging to continue the $183 billion pension fund’s traditional activism.

In contrast to Harrigan’s high-profile and, at times, combative approach to the Calpers job, Feckner has been viewed as more of a behind-the-scenes consensus builder.