Our Heart for and Dedication to Serving Rural America

Tom Sell, in his role as founder and manager of Combest, Sell & Associates provides the firm steady guidance and management, fosters strong relationships with influential leaders in Congress and the Administration, and leads client development efforts.

Prior to founding CS&A, Tom served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the House Committee on Agriculture, where he was instrumental in crafting the 2002 Farm Bill and the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000. He also served in the President George W. Bush Administration – on the transition team in 2000 and later as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs.

A native of West Texas, Tom is a licensed member of the State Bar of Texas and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Texas Tech University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness from Texas Tech University. Tom and his wife, Kyla, reside in Lubbock, Texas and have four children. He remains active in his family’s farm and ranch operation and serves on community, church, and charitable boards and commissions.

Jeff Harrison serves as Senior Counsel at Combest, Sell & Associates. Jeff leads the firm in developing and implementing legislative and regulatory strategies, building coalitions, and promoting client priorities.

Prior to joining CS&A in 2005, Jeff served 13 years on Capitol Hill, including as a Legislative Director in the U.S. Senate and as Counsel for the House Committee on Agriculture where he was lead counsel on the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 and numerous titles to the 2002 Farm Bill, including commodities and crop insurance. Jeff also clerked for the Honorable Paul A. Magnuson, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota where he was sworn into the Minnesota State and Federal Bar. Jeff has had a hand in crafting every major agriculture statute written in the past 25 years.

A native of Bluffton, Minnesota in Otter Tail County, Jeff graduated with distinction from the University of North Dakota School of Law where he also earned his undergraduate degree. Harrison resides in Washington, DC and is active in the Latin Mass community at his parish.

Brandon Willis serves as Combest, Sell & Associates’ Senior Policy Consultant, with a focus on Federal Crop Insurance. Willis also serves as an Assistant Professor at Utah State University.

Previously, Brandon served as the Administrator of the Risk Management Agency at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Senior Advisor to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Deputy Administrator for Farm Programs at the Farm Service Agency, and as an Agriculture Legislative Assistant in the U.S. Senate.

Brandon earned an LLM in agriculture law at the University of Arkansas, a law degree at the University of Wyoming, and an undergraduate degree in agriculture at Utah State University. Brandon grew up on a sheep ranch in Bear Lake, Utah where he and his wife, Victoria, raise their two children.

Jill Whitley serves as the Member & Events Manager at Combest, Sell & Associates. In her role, Jill oversees CS&A association management services and is responsible for meeting planning and execution.

Prior to joining CS&A in 2015, Jill was the Central United States Training Coordinator for Fireman’s Fund Insurance where she trained both crop insurance agents and adjusters. She also worked for USAG Insurance Services and the Roosevelt Independent School District.

Jill was raised on her family’s third-generation farm in Acuff, Texas where she lives today. She attended Texas Tech University. Jill and her husband, Chad, have two children and one grandchild.

Brad Weddelman serves as Chief Economist at Combest, Sell & Associates. Brad provides keen insight and economic analysis on matters of policy for clients and lawmakers. Additionally, he assists with client casework where he interacts regularly with officials at USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA).

Prior to joining CS&A in 2017, Brad worked as a teaching and research assistant for the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University. He also interned with the GIC Group, a DC-based agribusiness consulting and investment firm.

A native of Napoleon, Ohio, Brad was raised on his family’s corn, wheat, and soybean farm. Brad received his Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University and an undergrad from the University of Toledo. Brad resides in Washington, DC.

Linsey Ogden serves as Director of Government Affairs at Combest, Sell & Associates. She coordinates communications for the firm while providing keen advice and insight for clients and key contacts in Congress and the Administration. Linsey has also become a respected resource in conservation policy and humanitarian food aid initiatives.

Prior to joining CS&A in 2017, Linsey worked with the U.S. Peace Corps in rural Cameroon where she trained and advised smallholder farmers. She also completed a Congressional internship and served as the Southwest Council of Agribusiness Fellow.

A native of Loving, New Mexico, Linsey was raised on her family’s farm and ranch. She received a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Texas Tech University. Linsey lives in Washington, DC.

Maggie Pipkin is the Combest Sell and Associates Legal Fellow. Maggie provides important policy analysis, helps facilitate and organize meetings and events, and assists with the development of website content, design, and videography.

A native of Spearman, Texas, Maggie is a fifth-generation agriculturalist. She is currently a student at the Texas Tech University School of Law. She earned a Bachelor of Science of Agriculture Communications with minors in agribusiness management and political science from Texas Tech University, where she graduated summa cum laude.