OUR PARTNERS

TOM SELL

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

Combest, Sell & Associates is a force in Washington, DC — leading the way on strong and thoughtful agricultural policy, and a range of other agriculture-related issues. CS&A’s clientele represent the best in the business, from grassroots grower organizations to dynamic agricultural ventures.

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.

Tom loves his West Texas heritage, and has made Lubbock his home since returning to pursue his law degree in 2003. Tom is a member of the State Bar of Texas, and is active with the Davis College of Agriculture at Texas Tech University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness in 1995.

Tom is married to his college sweetheart, Kyla, and they have raised four beloved kiddos — Noah, Luke, Daniel and Naomi. Tom is actively engaged in his family farm and ranch operation and serves in a number of community, church, and charitable boards and roles.

JEFF HARRISON

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.

JILL WHITLEY

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.

PIPER MERRITT

Ms. Piper Merritt is an Associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Combest, Sell & Associates. Prior to joining CS&A, Piper worked in strategic communications at FGS Global, where she crafted proactive and strategic media outreach efforts for her clients. Before moving to Washington, she worked as a program aide for the Agricultural and Food Policy Center (AFPC) at Texas A&M University, and participated in the University’s Agricultural and Natural Resource Program as a policy intern for the House Committee on Agriculture.

A native of Owasso, Oklahoma, Piper’s connection to agriculture grew through her active involvement in her local FFA chapter, where she discovered a passion for agricultural policy at a young age. As a national FFA officer, Piper advocated for youth in agriculture across 40 states and in Japan. She holds a B.S. in Agricultural Leadership and Development, a Minor in Agricultural Economics, and a Certificate in International Trade and Agriculture from Texas A&M University.