Our Team
Our Team
Chuck McKenrick
- (323) 621-6850
- chuck@wegrowpros.com
Born outside of Providence RI in the 80s, Chuck has always had a green thumb and a passion for horticulture. His first job was working at a retail nursery selling ornamental annuals and perennials. Chuck graduated from Simons Rock College with an AA when he was 18 and continued on to get his BA in Liberal Arts from Hampshire College in Amherst MA. Chuck became a specialist in high alpine native gardening in Crested Butte CO in his 20s and was introduced to the Cannabis Industry working on legacy farms in the emerald triangle and Humbolt county in Northern CA. Intrigued by the relatively unique diecious and photoperiodic properties of the cannabis plant - Chuck continued exploring cultivation techniques and the required specialized equipment while managing hydroponic stores in Massachusetts and Oklahoma. After retreating to the rural mountains of western Colorado Chuck joined forces with other founders of Grow Pros Solutions and our company was born. Fusing the perfect synergy of commercial cannabis cultivation knowledge, biological understanding of the cannabis plant's desires, industry prowess, and direct manufacturing connections Grow Pros Solutions has proved itself as a trusted brand in our industry. Working tightly with the other company partners Chuck has helped build the Grow Pros team and product catalog to ensure that GPS offers high performance products at the cutting edge of technology and can provide them at affordable prices. Chuck has a 3-season greenhouse at his home in western Colorado where he gets the privilege to R+D GPS Products and with the help of his wonderful wife Meghan they grow delicious recreational cannabis in organic living soil along side their favorite vegetables, fruit trees, San Pedro Catus (legal in CO), and culinary mushrooms.
- Favorite Strain: Amherst Sour Diesel
- Favorite Drink: Ararat Brandy
- Favorite form of consumption: Bowl of Flower or a Spliff with organic tobacco
- Favorite Color: Blue
- Hobbies: Mushroom Foraging and placer gold prospecting
Mike Medina
- (323) 597-3685
- mike@wegrowpros.com
I grew up in East Los Angeles CA! Blunts, 40oz, skateboarding and back yard punk rock gigs were a way of life where I'm from. Because of my environment, I was exposed the beautiful life of Horticulture. I've been working at GPS since its inception, surviving the "Hydro apocalypse" to growth whin utility rebates across the nation. I've seen operations come n go, legal and trap. But 1 thing that's a constant, is the love we have for our community. Here at GPS, we don't live and die by the invoice. We live and die by the relationships with our clients who ultimately, if we do our job correctly, become our family.
Benjamin Matsuda
- (323) 319-2828
- benjamin@wegrowpros.com
As a second-generation cannabis cultivator with a background in science, Ben has used his curiosity to explore every facet of the industry. Ben's journey began with Select Oil, the first billion-dollar cannabis company, where he gained invaluable experience in extraction and processing. From there, Ben expanded into cannabis safety and compliance, working with COA labs and mass chromatography testing to ensure product integrity. Over the past decade, Ben has managed and consulted on numerous grow operations, culminating in his role as Manager of Cultivation for a hundred-million-dollar facility. This experience has given Ben the expertise to launch my own businesses and successfully operate commercial farms as a Director of Cultivation or Partner. Now, as part of GrowPros Solutions, Ben leverages this knowledge to drive sales, design commercial cultivation facilities, and help develop innovative product solutions tailored to growers’ needs. Beyond sales and cultivation, Ben is committed to advancing cannabis science through strategic partnerships with universities, constantly researching spectrum advancements to optimize plant performance. By bridging practical knowledge with data-driven insights, Ben collaborates with leading cultivators like Khoa from Spaceship Cannabis to integrate real-world growing expertise with cutting-edge theoretical research. Ben's goal is to push the boundaries of cannabis cultivation, ensuring growers have the best tools, technology, and strategies to succeed.
Justin Hernandez
- (818) 230-2688
- justin@wegrowpros.com
Justin Hernandez is a Certified Ganjier with over 25 years of hands‑on horticultural experience. Inspired by his grandfather’s work as a florist, Justin first honed his skills growing roses and orchids before pivoting in 2004 to the medical‑cannabis market under California’s Proposition 215. A respected authority in his field, he’s both a Cannabis Cup Award winner and a veteran Cannabis Cup judge—credentials that speak to his deep expertise and commitment to quality. Beyond the grow room, Justin champions the belief that “learning to grow your own food can enhance your life and well‑being.” When he’s not fine‑tuning cultivation protocols, you’ll find him exploring remote trails on overlanding adventures or perfecting his shot at the archery range. In the garden, his favorite strains are Headband and OG Kush in all their forms, alongside classic powerhouses Sour Diesel and VA Skunk Chem—varieties he still considers benchmarks for aroma, flavor, and effect.
Stephen Lemelle
- (909) 838-5945
- stephen@wegrowpros.com
I grew up in a tight-knit mountain community in Southern California during the 1980s and 1990s. In the early '90s, I started exploring strains, and by the mid-'90s, I was actively selling and diving into cultivation. My career has largely revolved around the traditional market, where I refined my skills over decades. During the Prop 215 era in California, I oversaw several cultivation projects. Following the passage of Prop 64, I transitioned into the construction and design of commercial facilities, focusing on climate control, lighting, irrigation, and automation systems. My professional strengths include large-scale commercial cultivation, strategic facility design, and the implementation of sophisticated control systems. Outside of work, I find joy in spending quality time with my wife and children, often surrounded by the beauty of nature.
- Favorite Strain: Z
Carlos Sanchez III
- (628) 786-5078
- stepean.n@wegrowpros.com
With over 15 years of hands-on experience in commercial horticulture, I have built a strong foundation in indoor cultivation tailored for the traditional market. A graduate of Chino High School, my career has focused on optimizing controlled-environment agriculture, including precision strain selection, environmental control, and advanced lighting strategies. I specialize in strain-specific cultivation methods that maximize both yield and cannabinoid profile without compromising the quality or consistency of the final product. My expertise in under-canopy lighting has been instrumental in improving light penetration and increasing plant productivity, especially in dense canopies. Through continuous refinement of growing techniques, I’ve helped boost pack prices, improve visual appeal, and drive stronger returns on investment. From cloning and veg to flowering and post-harvest processes, I bring a holistic approach to cultivation that aligns with both market demands and production efficiency. My work reflects a balance of innovation, consistency, and deep understanding of plant behavior in indoor environments.
- Hobby: Licensed Distributor and part owner of 2for1 Delivery Service.
- Favorite Strain: OG Kush
Kara Bragg
- (707) 708-5758
- Kara@wegrowpros.com
A seasoned leader in the cannabis and hemp industries with over 15 years of hands-on experience scaling cultivation operations from seed to success, Known for growing large outdoor plants, favoring a seed start over clone and renowned auto-flower knowledge. Kara blends a rare mix of technical depth, visionary leadership, and on-the-ground cultivation mastery. Her background consists of being a grow consultant, specializing in commercial cannabis and hemp facility design, genetic breeding, and production optimization. From traditional farm plots and pivot wheel farming to fully automated greenhouses and indoor facilities. An advocate for women in cannabis, sharing the stage at global events in UK and USA and being featured in The Cannavist magazine for her work in cultivation. Her voice, rooted in lived experience and trailblazing expertise, she is very passionate about cannabis and the cannabis culture. She stays rooted in her theory that “Humans are basically plants with complicated emotions.
- Strain: Sapphire OG
- Terpene Profile: All gas
- Hobby: Snowboarding
Devon Langford
- (213) 596-0558
- devon@wegrowpros.com
I cook things. I grow things. I know things. With over a decade in the hydroponics and cannabis industry, I've spent more time under lights than most folks and I'm still thriving. At We Grow Pros, my mission is simple: help growers win today while building for the future. Whether it’s dialing in your canopy, maxing out your rebates, or swapping stories about the “wild west” days of the industry, I’m here to turn knowledge into harvests and harvests into futures. From lighting setups to vertical benching layouts and power rebates that feel like cheat codes, I’m helping lead the charge. Hydroponics, cannabis, culinary experiments — it’s all connected. The best growers don't just chase yields they grow culture, craft, and community. And that’s exactly what we’re building here.
- Hobby: Cooking
Stepean(ST) Nguyen
- (628) 786-5078
- stepean.n@wegrowpros.com
I grew up in San Diego, then I moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas when I was 15, started selling bud in small quantities by 18. I moved back to San Diego and connected with old friends where I was introduced to selling bigger quantities. Then I had my son at 23 and I went to work for Time Warner Cable as technical support for cable, Internet, and phone. I worked for them for about 3 1/2 years. I left the company to get back into the bud business until the beginning of 2025. After that, I got into selling life insurance up until May of 2025, then I joined Grow Pros Solutions. I love spending time with my family. I make a trip to Arkansas twice a year to go hiking, skeet shooting, and just being with family.