A Washington, D.C., lobbyist and Kansas University graduate is coming back to her home state to lead its largest business advocacy group.

Amy J. Blankenbiller starts July 16 as president of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the organization announced Wednesday.

Blankenbiller, who received a bachelor’s degree in political science at KU, comes to the chamber after working as senior associate with Waterman & Associates, a governmental consulting firm in Washington, D.C.

Chamber officials cited her “considerable advocacy experience” representing private businesses before Congress and leading other lobbyists on behalf of national clients like the American Foundry Society and the North American Die Casting Association as preparing her for the chamber job.

She also has worked as legislative director for the National Association of Homebuilders and as congressional liaison for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

As the chamber’s top executive, she will oversee operations of the Kansas Chamber Legal Institute, Kansas Chamber Political Action Committee, Kansas Industrial Council, Kansas Retail Council, Leadership Kansas and the Kansas Chamber Federation.