The American Soybean Association is pleased to share it has promoted ASA Director of Government Affairs Alexa Combelic to lead the organization’s D.C.-based policy office as its next Executive Director of Government Affairs. Combelic joined the national soy policy group in May 2020 as one of ASA’s first in-house policy staff and has managed its often-complex, ever-evolving biofuels portfolio, in addition to transportation and infrastructure.

Stephen Censky, chief executive officer of ASA, said of Combelic’s capabilities, “Alexa is sharp, strategic, and has demonstrated time and again the sound judgment needed to navigate the nuances of policy and regulatory decisions as required to drive soy forward. She brings with her not only the outstanding body of soy policy experience gained these last five years with our organization—working day in, day out with our farmers to hear and amplify their needs—but also immense legislative and management experience gained during her years on the Hill.”

Combelic is a native of Connecticut and served nearly six years in Congressman Joe Courtney’s (CT) office, most of that time as legislative director supervising a large legislative team and managing policy priorities across several committee assignments. Before, she was a legislative aid for Senator Chris Murphy (CT) and had worked on Murphy’s Senate campaign. Likewise, Combelic was a member of both Murphy and Courtney’s congressional campaigns. She has a dual Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from the University of Connecticut.

Combelic cited achievements with which she has been pleased during her tenure as a government affairs director, including developing forward-facing sustainability policy priorities for the industry, infrastructure and bioproducts policy accomplishments, and SoyPAC initiatives. Now, she looks to the future.

“Already, our industry faces many challenges in 2025. As these issues arise, we need to hit the ground running on both offensive and defensive advocacy efforts. The only way to achieve our priorities will be through a collaborative, all-hands-on-deck approach, and I am exceptionally excited to continue to serve the soy industry in this new role and lead the charge,” Combelic said.

ASA is headquartered in St. Louis, MO, and conducted an extensive and competitive search to fill the critical policy leadership position, including internal and external candidates, before selecting Combelic. Combelic’s new role is effective upon public announcement.