South Bend-based Ceres Partners, an investment manager, appointed Nick Schupbach and Justin Lott to leadership roles.
Schupbach was named managing director, and Lott is the director of private equity. Both were co-founders of Appia Capital Partners, an investment firm that focused on agriculture, water and water rights.
“We are excited to welcome Nick and Justin to Ceres Partners,” said Perry Vieth, founder and CEO of Ceres Partners, in a press release. “They are proven investors with expertise in agriculture and water investments, and this range of experience will allow them to expand our investment capabilities and add value to our agriculture-and-food-focused private equity solutions.”
Schupbach's career focus has been on investing in natural resources, particularly carbon and water rights.
“The firm has an impressive track record and exceptional network, and we align on the right way to invest in agriculture-related private equity and water rights,” he said. “Ceres Partners’ network of farmers gives us insight into market trends that we can pair with our investing experience and research to create attractive portfolios across these sectors, and I’m excited to help lead this effort.”
Lott has 20 years of investment experience, especially in water, agriculture and transportation.
“I see water as a common link between the investment focus of our two firms,” Lott said. “I have great respect for the Ceres team and believe that our combined experience will lead to better outcomes for investors in both the water and agricultural private equity strategies that we will manage.”
Ceres Farms, co-mingled investment fund launched in 2007, acquires land to lease to farmers. It owns more than 160,000 acres in 12 states. It also manages the Ceres Food & Agriculture Opportunity Fund, a private equity fund.
