Cadiz Inc said on Tuesday that it has appointed Winston Hickox to its board of directors.

The Los Angeles-based water resource and real estate development firm said Hickox will bring experience in both the public and private sectors, specializing in the areas of environmental policy and public finance. He recently served as senior portfolio manager for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), the $211 billion investment portfolio for the state’s employees.

Hickox graduated from California State University at Sacramento with a business administration degree in 1965 then later earned his masters in business administration in 1972 from Golden Gate University.

Shares in Cadiz were up $1.05 in early trading Tuesday to $20.75.