Our Team

Sarah Black

General Manager

Sarah has spent the first 27 years of her career working for Michigan Farm Bureau, as a Regional Representative, National Legislative Counsel, and for the last 12 years as the Director of the Public Policy & Commodity Division. She brings management, policy, political, regulatory and legislative experience to our team. In addition, her roots extend deep in ag, having grown up on a multi-generation family dairy and cash crop farm in the Thumb of Michigan that is still in operation. Sarah is a graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, and looks forward to helping GLALS continue its growth and outstanding customer service.

Laura Herrygers

Marketing Specialist & Account Manager 

Laura has spent her life in the agriculture industry as part of a 6-generation apple, cherry and asparagus farm. She began working for Michigan Farm Bureau as a Regional Representative after earning her degree in International Studies from Northern Michigan University. While at NMU, Laura spent a semester abroad in Italy.

Laura brings her experience in agriculture and her understanding of farm operations and struggles to every client relationship.

Edgar Torres-Salinas

Senior Account Manager

Edgar began working as a migrant farmworker in Texas at a young age, which gave him a unique perspective on life and made him passionate about agriculture. This background led him to earn his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business Management from Michigan State University, which was a goal he set over 10 years ago. Today he is utilizing this background as a Labor Program Coordinator and serves as a main point of contact for farmers participating in the program.

Eligio Larraga

Account Manager & Field Training Specialist

Eligio Larraga began work June of 2015 as a Sales and field representative for MFB’s H-2A company Great Lakes Ag Labor Services, to help alleviate Michigan’s farm worker shortage. In the past five years Eligio has met with hundreds of growers allowing him to identify the main needs of the industry. Eligio has also helped growers by providing training to supervisors and crew leaders on worker management and how to navigate the cumbersome rules of the H-2A program.

Larraga earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy and animal science at the Tecnologico de Valles in Valles city, Mexico, while working on his uncle’s diversified farming operation. He moved to Charleston, SC in 2004, learned English, launched his own landscape company and earned American citizenship.

Larraga lives in Haslett with his wife and their three daughters and his new baby boy.

Priscilla Berumen

Associate Account Manager 

Priscilla Berumen’s experience in agriculture began at a young age in West Michigan as she grew up as a migrant farm worker. Early on she learned the value of hard work and how vital agriculture is to our country. She previously worked with non-profits where she navigated working with H-2A workers and has seen firsthand how the H-2A program, when navigated legally and properly can successfully & temporarily supplement the agricultural workforce.

Priscilla lives in West Michigan with her fiancé and two children. She volunteers regularly for her children’s school activities and is active in her community.  She looks forward to working with each client and is excited to be the newest member of Great Lakes Ag.

Berenise Alvarez

Associate Account Manager

Berenise Alvarez joined the company in March of 2023. Her experience in agriculture began at a young age in the West Michigan area, where she grew up in a family of farmworkers. From an early age, she has seen the importance of agriculture, and since then has grown a passion for the industry. Berenise graduated as a first-generation student from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Spanish.

 

Berenise aspires to bring her communication skills to Great Lakes Ag Labor Services, LLC with the hopes of supporting growers on managing the H2A program, which is an essential tool for their farms.

Clarissa Garza

Associate Account Manager

Clarissa’s experience in agriculture began at a young age as a migrant worker from south Texas. She moved to Michigan in 2018 to earn her B.S in Agribusiness Management at Michigan State University. During her time as a student, Clarissa was very involved with the agricultural guest worker programs and volunteered in MSU’s International Engagement in Mexico program which serves impoverished communities. Clarissa knew from an early age that she wanted to work within agriculture to give back to the community that gave her so much. Today, she is very excited to work alongside the rest of the Great Lakes Ag Labor Services, LLC team to provide the best service to our clients.

Emily Klingbeil

Associate Account Manager

Emily grew up on a dairy farm in Mid-Michigan. She spent her childhood very involved in 4H and FFA at the local and state level.  After graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Agricultural Education, Emily moved to the Juarez/El Paso, TX border region to work for a youth missions organization. She spent 8 years serving youth and communities on the Mexico/US border and in Puerto Rico. It was here her love of Spanish, and home cooked Mexican food was born! For the last 13 years, Emily has been a High School Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor in Wisconsin. She recently moved back to Michigan with her husband and 3 young children to the family farm. In her free time, she enjoys writing, drinking coffee, and being up north with her family. Emily is excited to reconnect with Michigan agriculture, and build relationships within the Great Lakes Ag Labor Services LLC family of clients and partners.