Our Team
Great Lakes Grain & Transportation, LLC
Behind every great company is a fantastic group of people. Our Board of Directors has been key in establishing relationships in the industry, our business structure, and plays an important role in guiding our company forward.
Laikin is a Farmer’s Daughter who is raising her own family on their 4th generation family farm. She worked in both the hospitality and banking industries before joining the team of GLGT in 2021. Laikin developed the transportation department at GLGT for 2 years. She then worked side by side with the founder of GLGT, Phil Hageman, for almost a year before transitioning in the role of General Manager.
Her experience in the farming industry gives her valuable perspective in working with both growers and customers. Her vision is to build GLGT into an organic grain network that is essential for companies looking for organic grain.
When Laikin isn’t working, she is wrangling her two children, husband, dogs and the rest of her family on the farm.
Phil brought over 45 years of grain industry and food quality experience to GLGT. After graduation from Michigan State University, he enlisted in the US Army Veterinary Corp where he performed quality control food inspections in several countries. He then spent the next several decades in the grain industry building, operating, and managing high volume train elevators with a strong focus on trading, transportation & logistics.
During his career he was also an active member of NGFA’s Trade Rules and Arbitration Appeals Committee. Phil had a strong position for building long term business relations with growers, customers and trading partners. Phil passed on in April of 2024 after battling several health issues.
Traders
Transportation
- Laikin Whitney
- Terri Marx
Accounting
- Les Dale
- Katie Powell
- Tonya Noble
Board of Directors
- Joel Leonard
- Dr. John Leonard
- Michael DiMarco
Laikin is a Farmer’s Daughter who is raising her own family on their 4th generation family farm. She worked in both the hospitality and banking industries before joining the team of GLGT in 2021. Laikin developed the transportation department at GLGT for 2 years. She then worked side by side with the founder of GLGT, Phil Hageman, for almost a year before transitioning in the role of General Manager.
Her experience in the farming industry gives her valuable perspective in working with both growers and customers. Her vision is to build GLGT into an organic grain network that is essential for companies looking for organic grain.
Phil brought over 45 years of grain industry and food quality experience to GLGT. After graduation from Michigan State University, he enlisted in the US Army Veterinary Corp where he performed quality control food inspections in several countries. He then spent the next several decades in the grain industry building, operating, and managing high volume train elevators with a strong focus on trading, transportation & logistics.
During his career he was also an active member of NGFA’s Trade Rules and Arbitration Appeals Committee. Phil had a strong position for building long term business relations with growers, customers and trading partners. Phil passed on in April of 2024 after battling several health issues.
