Tom Sell is the managing partner of Combest, Sell & Associates, (CS&A) an agriculture-focused lobbying firm with offices in Lubbock, Texas and Washington, DC.  His partner, the Honorable Larry Combest, served 9 full terms in the U.S. Congress, and Chaired the House Committee on Agriculture from 1999-2003.  Tom lived and worked in Washington, DC from 1995-2003, leading the Committee staff in the crafting and enactment of major pieces of legislation including the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (Crop Insurance rewrite) and the successful 2002 Farm Bill.  Tom also served in the President George W. Bush Administration – on the transition team in 2000 and later as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at USDA in 2003.   

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Tom is widely recognized as a leading expert and voice for agriculture in Washington, DC.  He and Larry began their firm in 2005 to provide guidance for a consortium of national agriculture organizations on the Federal Budget Process.  CS&A today has more than a dozen long-term clients, six employees and has established itself as a trusted source on matters relating to agriculture, environmental, trade and rural policies generally.   

Tom has a Bachelors in Agribusiness from Texas Tech University (1995), and earned his J.D. in 2006 after moving back to his native West Texas in late 2003.  He is a member of the Texas Bar. 

 

Tom lives in Lubbock with his wife, Kyla, and their 4 children.  He is an active volunteer in the community and church.  He currently serves as Board Chairman of Breedlove Foods focusing on emergency hunger relief, serves on the local Hospital Foundation Board, and on the National Ranching Heritage Center Board of Directors.  He is also currently serving an appointment to the Lubbock Water Advisory Commission, is an Elder in his local church, and has braved the unrivaled politics of the little league baseball as a coach for the last 9 years.  

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