Steve Censky previously led the group for 21 years befpre joining USDA

Censky

The American Soybean Association has tapped its former longtime CEO to once again lead the group. Steve Censky will step down as deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture on Nov. 8 and start as ASA's CEO on Nov. 9.

Censky had led St. Louis-based ASA since 1996 before being nominated for the number-two position at USDA by President Donald Trump in 2017.

"It is a privilege to return to ASA and represent our nation's soybean growers," Censky said in a news statement. "ASA is in many ways home, and I'm excited about working with both new and familiar faces in St. Louis and D.C. and building on the great changes accomplished since I was last there."

ASA hired Michigan Farm Bureau and agribusiness veteran Ryan Findlay to succeed Censky, but Findlay abruptly departed in June after a little over two years in the role. ASA gave no explanation, but has credited Findlay with helping the organization restructure internally and establish an independent government affairs office in Washington, D.C.