An international farming community

The parent company of Limagrain Cereal Seeds, Group Limagrain, was founded as a farmer’s cooperative in France in 1965 to improve the quality and availability of seed supplies. Today, still farmer-owned, the company has nearly 9,000 employees and has strategically placed cereal breeding programs in every area of the world where wheat and barley are widely grown.

Through the exchange of elite Group Limagrain germplasm across six continents, Limagrain Cereal Seeds gives U.S. farmers access to the best genetics in the world. Through cutting-edge speed breeding methodologies, we bring new, improved varieties to market in a fraction of the time possible just a decade ago.

Meet the Limagrain Cereal Seeds Team

Tatiana Henry
Chief Operating Officer

Tatiana is the COO of LCS. She has been working with Group Limagrain for 15 years. Before coming to the States, she was CEO of Field Seeds in Ukraine and Russia, where she established subsidiaries in these two fast-growing markets. Prior to that assignment, Tatiana was the Area Manager for sister company HM.CLAUSE, a leader in vegetable seeds. Tatiana holds both a business and master’s degree.

Garrett Dudley, LCS Seed Production Coordinator
Garrett Dudley
Seed Production Coordinator

Garrett facilitates seed production within LCS and with seed production partners as well as coordinating the PVP applications for new LCS varieties. He received a bachelor’s degree from SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology and has more than 10 years of experience in agronomy and the agricultural supply chain.

Ashton Medvig
Production Associate

Aston is a Colorado State University graduate with a Bachelor’s in Biological Science. With three years of experience in barley breeding and cereal grain quality control at Busch Agricultural Resources, Aston provides excellent value as part of the team at Limagrain. Outside work, Aston enjoys staying active through exercise and fishing.

Benzon Lorenzana
Head of Cereals and Pulse Research (North America)

Benzon Lorenzana leads the cereals and pulses breeding programs in North America. He has master’s and PhD degrees in Applied Plant Sciences, specialized in Plant Breeding and Molecular Genetics from the University of Minnesota and 14 years of research management and leadership experience. His expertise and vision drive innovation in plant sciences, helping LCS develop excellent varieties that meet farmers’ needs.

Lorena Pahl
Commercial Product Development Manager for Pulse Crops

Lorena is a seasoned professional with 25+ years in the seed industry. Here at Limagrain, she manages commercial activities for pulse crops in Canada and the US. She’s deeply passionate about agriculture and actively supports farmers while also breeding and showcasing paints and quarter horses.

Cathy Butti, LCS Quality Lab Manager
Cathy Butti
Quality Lab Manager

Cathy manages the LCS Quality Lab, testing the end-use quality and flour protein for all LCS wheat varieties. She is a graduate of North Dakota State University and has 40+ years of wheat quality experience in both U.S. and Canada systems. Cathy has a true passion for wheat quality and enjoys helping breeders in their decision-making processes and advancing new lines into farmers’ hands.

Sedique Pitsuwan-Meier, LCS Quality Lab Assistant
Sedique Pitsuwan-Meier
Quality Lab Assistant

Sedique tests the flour quality and protein characteristics of wheat varieties and is the LCS Quality Lab baker, noting the quality of bread derived from LCS varieties and maintaining consistent processes specific to U.S. and Canadian regulations. Sedique recently graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry.

Grant Groene
National Sales and Marketing Manager

With over 15 years in the seed industry, Grant possesses a distinctive and comprehensive background. Armed with both BS and MS degrees in agronomy, along with an MBA, he brings a wealth of experience spanning sales, product management, and global agronomy. Having played a key role in the global agronomy efforts at Corteva Agriscience, Grant now leads the sales and marketing endeavors at LCS, standing as a driving force behind the success of Limagrain Cereal Seeds.

Kris Lovin
Marketing Associate

Kris is our local marketing guru. Kris graduated with a degree in marketing from the University of Northern Colorado and has more than 15 years of experience. He handles all of our advertising efforts across North America.

Tony Ruiz, LCS Finance and Administration Manager
Tony Ruiz
Finance and Administration Manager

Although new to LCS, Tony has a 40+ year work history in accounting and finance. Before joining team LCS, he worked in the private sector in various roles throughout his career.  Tony holds a Business Degree from Long Beach State University.

Jennifer Sweeney
Jennifer Sweeney
Sales and Logistics Administration; Accounting Assistant

Jennifer orchestrates sales and logistics in addition to assisting with accounting. She is a graduate of Colorado State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Equine Science. Since graduation, Jennifer has worked in dispatching, as well as the agriculture and accounting industries.

Theresa Thomas
Staff Accountant

Theresa is a veteran accounting and finance expert who has experience in multiple industries including government, non-profit, and private sectors. Theresa is a Colorado native who loves to hike, read, and spend time with her grandchildren

Ariel Hochstadt
Paralegal

Ariel provides legal support for LCS, working with Limagrain Americas to prepare contracts, administrative documents, and standard operating procedures. She also ensures that LCS intellectual property is properly protected, managing CoAXium Stewardship and defending against infringement. She graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law with a J.D. and Certificate in Intellectual Property

Pacific Northwest Team

Bailey Jenks
Regional Commercial Manager – Pacific Northwest

Bailey is in charge of all of our commercial activities in the Pacific Northwest. She graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Crop Science. She has experience working in precision agriculture and most recently spent time working with OSU’s wheat breeding program. She is a knowledgeable part of our team and is a great asset to our customers.

Dr. Dylan Larkin, LCS Wheat Breeder for the PNW
Dr. Dylan Larkin
Wheat Breeder

Dylan leads the Pacific Northwest wheat breeding program, where he develops improved conventional and CoAXium soft white and hard red winter wheat varieties. He has a doctorate in Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences from the University of Arkansas, as well as a master’s degree from Washington State University and a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University.

Jeron Chatelain
Research Associate

Jeron assists with all aspects of the Pacific Northwest breeding program, including planting, management and harvesting of variety trials and early generation nurseries. He grew up on a dryland wheat farm and has a master’s degree from Washington State University. He worked for five years with the Oregon State University and USDA-ARS breeding programs before joining LCS.

Brandon Gusse
Research Assistant

Brandon grew up on a dryland wheat farm in Lind, Washington and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Systems from Walla Walla Community College. Before returning to his agricultural roots with LCS, Brandon studied computer science and was an IT professional. He now assists with the PNW breeding program, from planting to management to harvest.

Leighton Dorman, LCS Research Associate
Leighton Dorman
Research Assistant

Leighton assists Dr. Dylan Larkin with the PNW breeding program. He brings six years of ag industry experience to LCS and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Biotechnology from Washington State University.

Central Plains Team

Dan Dall, Central Plains Regional Commercial Manager
Dan Dall
Regional Commercial Manager, Central Plains

Dan leads commercial activities in the Central Plains for LCS. A lifetime south central Kansas resident, except while earning his bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from Kansas State University, he knows the area well and enjoys partnering with wheat growers across the Central Plains to help maximize their profitability. Dan brings a passion for agriculture and 23 years of experience in seed and chemical sales to LCS.

Dr. Marla Barnett
Senior Wheat Breeder, Central Plains

Marla breeds hard winter wheat for the Central and Southern Great Plains. She earned her doctorate from Kansas State, and joined our team in 2010. Marla’s research career has focused on wheat improvement, genetic resistance to insects and pathogens, and producing accurate genotypic data.

Dean Wilson
Research Associate

Dean assists Dr. Marla Barnett in breeding wheat for the Central Plains. He targets the accumulation and analysis of data for yield and disease resistance. Prior to joining the team, Dean assisted the late Dr. Jim Wilson of Trio Research.

Cooper Holdaway
Research Associate

Growing up in South Central Kansas, wheat was the backbone of Cooper’s upbringing. Now as a Research Associate for LCS, Cooper is an important part of our Central Plains wheat breeding team, playing an important part in helping LCS develop the best wheat varieties on the market.

High Plains Team

Mason Winters
Regional Commercial Manager, High Plains

Mason brings a decade of seed industry expertise and a strong agronomy background to the LCS High Plains region. A graduate of West Texas A&M University with a degree in Animal Science and a minor in Plant Science, Mason has supported Corteva Agriscience as an agronomist and territory manager in the Texas Panhandle and New Mexico. Residing in Amarillo, Texas, he has extensive experience working with local feed yards and dairies, making him a valuable asset to our team and clients.

Mountain West Team

Zach Thibault
Regional Commercial Manager, Mountain West

Zach Thibault, is a seasoned industry professional with a wealth of knowledge and a passion for helping farmers succeed. Transitioning from a dealer’s perspective, he firmly believes in the mantra ‘Happy Farmer, Happy Life.’ Get ready to collaborate with Zach as he spearheads efforts to help our farmers and dealers in the Mountain West region.

Northern Plains Team

Troy Gerding
Regional Commercial Manager, Northern Plains

Meet Troy Gerding, our Northern Plains Regional Commercial Manager. With roots in central Minnesota’s dairy country, Troy is a seasoned expert in certified seed production across diverse crops and regions. A devoted family man, he brings dedication to his role, forming strong partnerships with farmers and dealers in the Northern Plains region.

Justin Leier
Research Assistant, Northern Plains

Justin blends a lifelong passion for agriculture with advanced degrees in Plant Sciences from NDSU, specializing in wheat breeding. His career has spanned roles from Forage Research Specialist to County Extension Agent and now as a Research Assistant for the Northern Plains. Outside work, he enjoys gardening, woodworking, and family time.