Frank Plescia is a Republican candidate for House District 82 in the Missouri General Assembly. The district includes Creve Coeur and other suburban areas of west St. Louis County, and is an open seat. This is his first quest for political office, and comes after a 23 year career representing Monsanto and Chevron in government matters throughout the United States. Prior to retiring from Monsanto in May, 2008, Frank was Senior Director of U.S. State Government Affairs at the company’s headquarters in St. Louis. In this role, he directed a team responsible for Monsanto’s state government matters in all 50 states.

He began his career at Monsanto in 1981 as a Toxicologist, leaving in 1984 to join Chevron Corporation, where he worked as a Regulatory Affairs manager for their Ortho Agricultural Division, and as a Legislative and Community Affairs manager for their Chevron USA domestic oil division in California. He returned to Monsanto government affairs in 1988, handling state and local government matters in Missouri and nationally. A key focus of his role was working with state and local economic development officials regarding Monsanto’s expansion projects throughout the United States. His government experience spans the oil, chemical, agricultural , biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Frank has worked with state legislatures, governors, and regulatory agencies all across the country, from Hawaii to Maine.

Frank is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, receiving his B.S. degree in Environmental Toxicology in 1979. He went on to pursue graduate studies in Pharmacology / Toxicology at the University of Arizona, receiving his M.S. degree in 1981 as a NIOSH Fellow. In 2008, he earned the Leadership Excellence Award by the Biotechnology Industry Organization.

His recent community activities include fundraising for the Multiple Sclerosis Society
St. Louis Crisis Nursery Center, BARC, a local animal shelter charity, and volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity. Frank and his family are members of St. Monica Catholic Church in Creve Coeur, Missouri. He was born and raised in Sacramento, California, but has called St. Louis home for 15 years. Frank and his wife, Lori, have four children – Scott (26), Jillian (22), Matt (19) and Jeff (15).