PEORIA, Ill. (AP) Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc. has hired former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as a consultant.

The Journal Star reported that the former Illinois congressman will be the company’s representative on policy matters. LaHood was transportation secretary from 2009 to 2013, when he retired from the Obama administration. Since then he has said he will lecture at Bradley University, work with the Chicago law firm DLA-Piper and the Dirksen Congressional Center in Pekin.

Caterpillar spokeswoman Molly Donahue said LaHood will help the company develop corporate strategies. The company said it will benefit from LaHood’s "deep expertise in infrastructure planning and investment and manufacturing in the United States."

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