Our Story
Stephen Truman Sugg
Looking to combine his passion for politics with his affinity for community development, Stephen spent six years as a Policy Officer/Senior Policy Officer at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) prior to co-founding Truman LaCombe LLC in 2009. At LISC, Stephen worked closely with Congress, federal agencies, community development professionals, and public and private sector partners to promote the interests of the community development industry on Capitol Hill.
Stephen’s expertise includes housing and community development issues, the federal appropriations process, National Service, community safety programs, Brownfields redevelopment, and related areas. At LISC, Stephen provided political technical assistance to community developers in 43 states while coordinating successful efforts to save the HUD Section 4 Community Development Capacity Building program.
Prior to LISC, Stephen worked as a Legislative Assistant to United States Senator Jean Carnahan handling environmental, resource, community development and appropriations issues. Stephen also spent four years as a higher education lobbyist in the Missouri General Assembly and served a two-year term on the University of Missouri Board of Curators.
“I am excited to put my experience to work for social entrepreneurs of all sizes. Eliza and I have collaborated many times over the years. Our shared values and respect for social entrepreneurs in the trenches make our work rewarding.” –Stephen Truman Sugg
A native of Carrollton, Missouri, Stephen resides in Norfolk, Virginia with his wife Karen. In addition to his Truman LaCombe duties, he is an adjunct faculty member at Tidewater Community College where he teaches sociology. Stephen enjoys competitive hiking, distance running, softball, politics, creative writing, freelance writing, and mentoring a young man in the Big Brothers program.
Education: B.A. with Honors, University of Missouri
M.S. Rural Sociology, University of Missouri
Eliza LaCombe Ginn
Interested in “doing good” since an early age, Eliza has dedicated her life to raising the profile of community nonprofits, environmental organizations, entrepreneurial businesses and international loan funds. Using her perspective honed over two decades of travel and living abroad, Eliza brings firsthand experience working with the world’s most innovative social entrepreneurs to Truman LaCombe LLC.
Foundations, private investors, governments and individuals rely on Eliza as a fundraiser, grant writer, portfolio manager, and membership specialist; her diverse clientele reflects her ability to deliver results. Whether securing funding via grantwriting or organizing events in rural Maine, Eliza’s professional contacts span all levels of social entrepreneurs.
Eliza combines her business acumen with graphic design skills, web-savvy, publication experience and passion for photography to provide clients with a full spectrum of marketing materials. In addition to traditional outreach, Eliza makes sure that clients utilize cutting-edge social networking tools including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to maximize their online presence.
“Whether working in a small Bolivian village or on K Street in Washington, DC, I’ve found that the best social entrepreneurs share an important trait: Respect for those delivering results at the ground level. That respect is the hallmark of Truman LaCombe.” – Eliza LaCombe Ginn
Eliza resides in Portland, ME where she is often found in on the coast messing about in any number of boats.
Education: B.A. Sociology and Anthropology Lewis and Clark College
National Development Council: Economic Development Finance, Business Credit Analysis, Real Estate Finance