LOS ANGELES, February 8, 2022 (PRNewswire) — Cadiz Inc. (Nasdaq: CDZI/CDZIP) (“Cadiz” or the “Company”) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Susan Kennedy to serve as executive Chair of the Company. Kennedy steps into the role Cadiz founder Keith Brackpool has held since 2001. Brackpool will remain on the Board as a non-executive director.
“It’s an honor to be entrusted with this leadership role,” Kennedy said. “I am excited to take the helm at such a propitious time for the company and, most importantly, at such a critical time in the fight against climate change.”
In 2020, Cadiz completed acquisition of a 220-mile pipeline previously used by El Paso Natural Gas to carry oil and gas and is in the process of repurposing the pipeline to carry water. When completed, the repurposed gas pipeline will be part of an underground water pipeline network that connects the State Water Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct to groundwater banks that can store water during flood years and provide flexibility and reliability during droughts.
“Given the stress of more frequent and intense droughts on the State Water Project and Colorado River and with few new storage projects on the horizon, this project is critical to the health and security of California’s water supply,” Kennedy said. “It will also be the first project in the world to repurpose fossil fuel infrastructure to address the impacts of climate change – game changing when it comes to water.”
“Susan’s reputation for successfully executing large-scale initiatives involving complex stakeholder engagement is legendary,” Brackpool said. “I have known Susan for over two decades and can think of no one more capable of stepping into this role at this time than Susan.”
Kennedy joined the Cadiz Board in March 2021 after more than 30 years in California government and politics, having served as chief of staff to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cabinet Secretary to Governor Gray Davis and Communications Director for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. Kennedy also served on some of the State’s most powerful regulatory boards overseeing investor-owned energy, water and telecommunications industries, health insurance and water projects. In the governor’s office, Kennedy was known for her execution skills, which put her at the center of complex deals and groundbreaking policies, including AB 32 – California’s internationally recognized climate change law, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and implementation of the California Bay-Delta Accord. After leaving the Governor’s office in 2011 she founded energy storage start-up Advanced Microgrid Solutions, which was acquired by Fluence (FLNC NASDAQ) in 2020.
“We enthusiastically welcome Susan to this new leadership position at the helm of our Board,” said Scott Slater, Cadiz CEO and board member. “Susan’s exceptional experience and innovative thinking will be an important asset as we complete our mission of bringing water to Californians in need.”