Ceres Partners, a specialized investment manager focused on food, agriculture, and water resources, announced the appointments of Nick Schupbach as Managing Director and Justin Lott as Director of Private Equity. Both Schupbach and Lott join Ceres Partners from Appia Capital Partners, an investment firm they co-founded, specializing in agriculture, water, and water rights.
Ceres Partners Strengthens Private Equity Focus with New Hires
This strategic expansion of the leadership team underscores Ceres Partners’ commitment to its private equity strategy. Schupbach and Lott will play a key role in growing the firm’s existing food and agriculture investment portfolio and developing new investment opportunities in water resources across the United States. Their combined expertise in agriculture and water investments aligns perfectly with Ceres Partners’ existing focus.
Perry Vieth, Founder and CEO of Ceres Partners, expressed enthusiasm for the new additions, highlighting their proven investment track record and deep understanding of the agriculture and water sectors. Brandon Zick, Chief Investment Officer, emphasized the valuable insights and integrity that Schupbach and Lott bring, having collaborated with them previously on the Ceres farmland fund.
Schupbach and Lott Bring Extensive Experience in Natural Resources and Water Investments
Schupbach brings a wealth of experience in sourcing and underwriting natural resources investments, including water rights, farmland, and timber, with an additional focus on carbon. He has been actively involved in water rights investing since 2008 and has authored several white papers on the subject. Schupbach expressed excitement about joining Ceres Partners, citing the firm’s strong track record, extensive network, and shared investment philosophy. He believes that leveraging Ceres Partners’ network of farmers, combined with their investment experience and research, will create attractive portfolios across these sectors.
Lott contributes 20 years of investment experience across various capital structures and markets, including extensive expertise in water, agriculture, transportation, and other related industries. He has also served on the boards of several agricultural companies. Lott views water as a crucial link between the investment strategies of both firms and believes that their combined expertise will benefit investors in both water and agricultural private equity strategies.
Ceres Partners: A Diversified Investment Portfolio in Food, Agriculture, and Water
Ceres Partners manages two distinct investment vehicles: Ceres Farms, a $1.7 billion AUM farmland fund, and Ceres Private Equity, focused on emerging food and agriculture businesses. The private equity portfolio consists of early to mid-stage growth companies poised to disrupt or enhance traditional food and agricultural practices and address large-scale challenges. This dual approach allows Ceres Partners to capitalize on opportunities across the entire food and agriculture value chain.
Ceres Partners is committed to sustainable investing in food, agriculture, and water resources, positioning itself as a leader in these critical sectors. The addition of Schupbach and Lott strengthens this commitment and enhances the firm’s ability to deliver strong returns for its investors. For more information, visit cerespartners.com.
