Dani and her husband Todd Niehus moved from Portland to McMinnville in 1991. They have four adult children, all of whom attended McMinnville High School and are living in Oregon, Washington, and Texas. Dani began her career in hospitality nearly 27 years ago, working for Jule Gradek at Sir Hinkleman’s Funnyduffer Restaurant and Catering. After taking some time off to raise her family, and a brief stint with the McMinnville School District, Dani started working for McMenamins company in 1996. As Hotel Oregon's property manager for the past four years, Dani has worked hard to create a welcoming and fun environment for locals and visitors from all across the globe. In 2017 Dani joined the Visit McMinnville board of directors, and has enjoyed learning about tourism and its impact on economic development in McMinnville and the communities of Yamhill County. She is a vocal advocate for the growth of McMinnville’s downtown, and has worked to build strong relationships with local business owners and city officials. When Dani is not at work, she enjoys traveling anywhere warm, and spending time with her family and friends.

503- 472-8427

Meg moved to McMinnville in 1987 when her family relocated from Michigan and has loved living here ever since. Meg has 2 amazing, adult children, and you have probably seen her husband, Norm, down at Joe Dancer with McMinnville Parks and Rec. Meg has been working for Troon Vineyard, a winery out of southern Oregon's Applegate Valley, for the past 9 year. She loves being part of the vibrant McMinnville Downtown and sharing these wines and our vision of regenerative agriculture with guests visiting the Willamette Valley. Meg is also on the programming committee with Women in Wine. In her downtime Meg enjoys spending time with her family and enjoys taking in live theatre and a baseball game.

Peter Kircher grew up in Quincy, Illinois. He graduated from Beloit College, Wisconsin in 1975 and went on to classical French culinary training in some of the best restaurants in the US at the time, culminating with a sous chef position at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. He moved to Kodiak Alaska in 1979 and started a career as a commercial fisherman, owning and operating his own fishing boat from 1986-1993. He married Celia Kircher, from Wales, England, in 1983 and they had three boys in Kodiak. In 1988 they bought property in the Dundee Hills and started a 40 acre vineyard producing their first vintage Pinot Noir in 1992. In 1993 they sold their Alaska fishing boat and permits and started Golden Valley Brewery in McMinnville which was the 12th microbrewery to open in Oregon. They sold their vineyard property to Domaine Serene in 1998 and in 2002 purchased a 76 acre cattle operation outside of McMinnville where they now live and manage the farm and a ½ acre organic garden program producing about 5000 pounds of seasonal vegetables annually for the two restaurants. In 2011they started Golden Valley Brewery Restaurant in Beaverton. The Golden Valley program is now managed by their middle son Alex who graduated from Pacific University in 2007. Peter was a member of the MDA in its early stages and served as president from 1994-99. He also served on the board and was president of Kids On the Block for four years. He has been an active member of the “downtown steering and planning group” since early stages and was one of the founding members of the Urban Renewal District where he now serves as president. He has also been on the Third Street Improvement Project Advisory committee for the past several years. Both Peter and his Wife Celia have been active, dedicated supporters of the growth and vitality of the McMinnville Downtown since 1993.

Heather Richards is the Community Development Director for the City of McMinnville. She joined the City in 2016. Previously she worked in Redmond, Oregon as the Community Development Director for ten years. Heather oversees Planning, Building, Code Compliance and Community Relations, and Urban Renewal for the City of McMinnville. Prior to working in community development, Heather worked as a Main Street Manager in Baker City, Oregon and owned her own downtown boutique in both Baker City, Oregon and Boise, Idaho. She has a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning and Historic Preservation from Eastern Michigan University. She received the Professional Community and Economic Developer certification from the Community Development Council in 2006. She lives in McMinnville and has two children both of whom recently graduated from McMinnville High School. “Downtowns hold a special place in my heart. I loved being a Main Street Manager and a small business owner in downtown Baker City and Boise. The community of business owners and customers that you create in a downtown setting is something that cannot be replicated elsewhere. And downtown McMinnville is one of the nation’s best downtowns. I am thrilled to return full circle to the Main Street program by serving on this board.”

Nora Lamb moved to McMinnville in 2007. She instantly fell in love with its charming downtown. Now married with two beautiful children, there's nowhere else she'd choose to raise her family. With a decade of culinary entrepreneurship under her belt, Nora stands at the helm of Crescent Cafe, a cornerstone of downtown McMinnville's vibrant dining scene. Her journey in hospitality is underpinned by a robust foundation in social sciences, which informs her approach to business and community engagement. As an active member of our local community, she is dedicated to fostering connections through gastronomic experiences that celebrate our collective heritage and future. Nora's commitment to excellence and community service has not only flavored her career but also enriched the lives of those who walk through the doors of her cafe. Nora's adoration for McMinnville's charm makes serving on the MDA board an absolute honor.  

(503) 435-2655

Ames was born and raised in McMinnville, and loves being able to call McMinnville home. He and his husband JP own and operate Bierly Brewing, a gluten-free brewpub and bakery on Third Street. Ames can often be found at Flag & Wire with a book or a friend, roaming Third Street with his two kids, or in the kitchen at Bierly Brewing. In his spare time he’s also a professional cellist.

Marilyn Kosel is a life-long Oregonian and has lived in Yamhill County for 35 years. She is a retired firefighter and mother of two. She and her husband Brad Shaver are property owners of the “Old Elks Building” on 3rd St. They have owned other properties in town and have operated a downtown retail store. They have taken on many historic renovation projects for which Marilyn has done design.

She is also owner and Creative Director at Wayward Winds Lavender. A private label manufacturing company and lavender farm where she works with a wonderful team of employees. Marilyn heads up new product development and graphic design. She is a founder of the Willamette Valley Lavender Festival, Lavender Northwest, and the US Lavender Growers Association where she is currently Vice President. Marilyn has been a perpetual entrepreneur. Also finding success over the years in horse breeding, landscape design, and as the owner of a specialty plant nursery.

She is currently working on her next goal where she can put her artistic and design skills to work - the mastery of oil painting. In addition to serving the McMinnville Downtown Association, Marilyn serves on Boards or Committees at the US Lavender Growers Association, Lavender Northwest, the Art Harvest Studio Tour, and the Third Street Improvement PAC.

Becky was raised in McMinnville and returned 30 years ago to raise her family here. When she started her first business in 2016 doing bookkeeping for several small businesses is where her passion for business began to take off. In 2020 she purchased Serendipity Ice Cream in downtown Mac and today she is currently the past chair for the board of directors for the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce.

Sylla is the owner of Third Street Books and is excited about the possibility of serving on the MDA Board again. She brings institutional knowledge of the organization, relationships with other business and property owners on Third Street, and connections with McMinnvillians throughout the community to work towards creating a sustainable organization and downtown. She currently serves as a Planning Commissioner and has been on the Third Street Improvement Project Committee for six years. She has been in McMinnville since 2003 and lives within walking distance of downtown with her husband, small dog and three cats. Her favorite color is blue.

Dylan grew up in McMinnville and graduated from McMinnville High School and Western Washington University. He havs been at First Federal for 8 years, working his way from teller to branch operations manager. He is excited for the opportunity to deepen his involvement with the community through the downtown association.

Ben Stuart is a 25-year old McMinnville local and restaurateur. Graduating from McMinnville High School in 2017, he has spent his adult life working in the hospitality industry in McMinnville and Portland, leading him to manage the hospitality program and buy into a partnership at Pizza Capo in 2023. As someone who grew up spending quite a bit of time in downtown McMinnville, and continues to today both in his professional life and free time, he appreciates being voted onto the McMinnville Downtown Association Board.

Allie is a lawyer who started working at the local law firm Haugeberg, Rueter, Gowell, Fredricks & Higgins P.C. in 2023 with a practice focusing on general business, corporate transactions, and real estate. Originally from a small town in Eastern Oregon, she obtained a degree in history from Whitworth University in 2018 as a four-year student athlete. Allie then earned a law degree from the University of Oregon and worked at the Oregon Court of Appeals as a judicial clerk for two years before starting in private practice.