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

Heather works at The Ground and previously owned Local Flow Health Bar in downtown McMinnville. Heather first visited McMinnville to visit Linfield College in 2002 and the downtown eventually became the tipping point in her decision to be a Wildcat. After graduating in 2007 with a degree in Exercise Science, she remained in McMinnville and worked in the healthcare industry. She and her husband moved to Maui in 2013 and spent 3 years loving Island Life. The Millers returned to McMinnville in early 2016 and Local Flow opened in October of 2016. Heather has a great passion for the community, health, food and people and enjoys the opportunity to be apart of our vibrant downtown. When Heather is not in the shop you can find her spending time outdoors, traveling, enjoying local wines and volunteering with the McMinnville Kiwanis Club.

971-318-9318

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.

A Linfield College graduate (class of 2010), Katie returned to the McMinnville area in 2013 after completing graduate school in Boston. Katie is passionate about empowering young people to discover a sense of belonging and purpose in their community. She enjoys the vibrant downtown McMinnville community and promoting youth engagement in the MDA. Her favorite MDA event is the Annual Awards Dinner and Piccadilly Auction.

503-434-8278

Sandy and her husband moved their young family to Yamhill County in 1995. Volunteering in the Community became a way to meet people in their new surroundings. Over the years, Community Involvement has continued to be Sandy’s focus, bringing people together for the common good. Sandy returned to banking in 2006 after raising her family. She is currently the Branch Manager/Loan Officer at the McMinnville Home Office on Third Street, and is honored to be a part of the McMinnville Downtown Association. In their spare time, you will find the Schultz’s enjoying family, crabbing, and fishing at the Oregon Coast.

Kate is an attorney specializing in community building, business services, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate. Coming from a family of serial entrepreneurs, she grew up helping run various family companies, and applies her experience in serving other business owners today. She wholeheartedly believes thriving natural environments and culture are fundamental for strong economic communities. She earned a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and moved to McMinnville to join Haugeberg, Rueter, Gowell, Fredricks & Higgins, P.C. She loves McMinnville, and appreciates the opportunity to support local downtown businesses through the MDA.

503-883-2607

Gerry moved to McMinnville in 1997 to open 3rd Street Pizza Company. He is the father of three awesome kids, all of whom have enjoyed the idyllic circumstance of having 3rd Street and all that it has to offer be part of their growing up. He is passionate about supporting local businesses and our community, and is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the MDA board enabling him to contribute to an organization that has done so much for our street and our town. Gerry also serves on the board of Zero Waste McMinnville. When not on 3rd Street, he enjoys getting outside to enjoy all that the beautiful Pacific Northwest has to offer, especially on a bicycle or sailboat, and most especially with his fiance Linda Hays, the amazing Toy Store Lady.

503-434-5800

Born and raised in Portland, OR Kent is a graduate of Central Catholic High School, University of Oregon and Pennsylvania State University. Kent served at the McMinnville City Manager from 1986 to 2015. He Resides in McMinnville with his wife, Sylvia. They have six children between them and four grandchildren. Kent decided to join the MDA Board to help contribute to insuring the continued vitality of McMinnville’s cherished downtown