With heavy hearts, the Office of Communication shares the sad news that Aleksey Minchenkov passed away Feb. 10 at age 43.

Katie O’Connor said it best: “Aleksey was so talented as a digital strategist, supporter of good data, an outstanding public affairs professional. He was a core member of the fire funding fix communication effort that helped show people that OC could step to the table and make a difference.”

Aleksey was born in Kiev, Ukraine, before moving to the United States as a teenager, eventually pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in strategic communications. He said he improved his English watching American sitcoms, with a particular fondness for "Friends" and "Golden Girls."

He joined the Office of Communication in 2016 as social media lead and quickly became an integral member of the team. Over the years he stepped up to serve in many roles, including acting assignments as press officer and as assistant director for issues management and media relations. He later served as the communication lead for the Great American Outdoors Act Strike Team. Aleksey previously worked as a public affairs specialist with the National Agriculture Statistic Service. In 2022, he accepted the position of director of communications for the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

Aleksey’s friends and colleagues remember him as a gregarious man with a passion for communication, impeccable style, a love of ballroom dancing and "Star Wars," and an infectious laugh.

Aleksey is survived by his parents, Valeriy and Irina Minchenkov, his brother, Sergey Minchenkov (Alla Khodakivska), his nephew and niece, Alexander Minchenkov and Victoria Minchenkov, his aunt, Natalia (Leonid) Lapkin, his cousin, Marina (Igor) Ulis and their children, Max Ulis and Jake Ulis, and his cousin, Andrew Lapkin.