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.

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.

My name is Beth Caster. I have lived in McMinnville since 1994. I can not imagine living anywhere else. I am a REALTOR specializing in homes in Yamhill County. One of my very favorite things is being able to tell new to the area buyer about our town. We drive around looking at everything. I plan lunch time for them to be on their own downtown to see what we drove by and to hit the highlights. I also run a Facebook page called “ I LOVE Third Street”. There are currently over 7,000 very active members. I try to share and promote businesses that post to highlight menus, pictures of mouthwatering choices, sales, irresistible outfits, new books and any events that might be happening. And, of course, the MDA and Farmers Market posts. I am serving on the board to offer my knowledge and skill set to promote, plan and ensure the ongoing health of the organization.

Scott Hinchcliff is the owner of Scott’s Automotive and has worked in the automotive repair industry since 1995. After beginning his career as an apprentice, he became a Ford Diesel technician, earning Ford highest certification of Senior Master Technician. In 2007 he made the jump and opened Scott’s Automotive. Today, he leads a team of eight dedicated employees focused on providing exceptional service and building long-term trust within the community. Born and raised in McMinnville, Scott lives just outside of town with his wife of 27 years, Elizabeth. They have two adult children—a daughter attending Chico State and a son who joined Scott’s Automotive in August of 2025 and is now engaged to be married. Scott has a deep appreciation for McMinnville’s history, traditions, and sense of community. Scott also serves as President of Cruising McMinnville, a local nonprofit car show and cruise that brings people downtown while giving back through trade-school scholarships, STEM grants for county schools, and support of local nonprofits. Scott is applying to the McMinnville Downtown Association Board to be more directly involved in shaping the future of McMinnville and the downtown corridor. As a non-downtown business owner, he believes his perspective can help bring fresh ideas and strengthen connections between downtown and the broader business community. Above all, Scott is motivated by his love for McMinnville and a desire to help preserve and grow what makes it a special place.

My name is Kelly Van Dyke, I am a McMinnville resident and small business owner that has been located downtown for the last ten years. I am a licensed massage therapist and have operated a couple of different businesses downtown. For the last five years my wife and I have been building Altum Massage & Aesthetics. We have three amazing children and being a dad is a huge part of who I am. I was previously very involved in Young Professionals of Yamhill Valley and McMinnville Chamber of Commerce dating back to 2016. Though I have not been as active in recent years. I am looking to get back into taking a more active role in my community. I am passionate about downtown McMinnville and have watched it change and grow greatly over the ten years I’ve been down there. I believe the skills I’ve picked up over the years will be an asset to the board. I am excited at the opportunity to help shape and grow the future of our beautiful downtown!