JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon’s longtime chief of staff has been selected to lead the state’s public pension system.

Members of the board of trustees for the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System on Friday announced they selected John Watson as the new executive director.

Watson was chief of staff for Nixon for more than 15 years during his time as governor and previously when he was attorney general.

The retirement system’s current executive director Gary Findlay is retiring in December. Watson will begin transitioning into the position in September.

The system manages and administers more than $9 billion in assets including retirement, long-term disability and life insurance. It serves more than 110,000 current and former state employees and their beneficiaries.