Meet the Board
Meet the Board
The people behind Main Street Grants Pass — dedicated to strengthening downtown vitality, supporting local merchants, and building a thriving community.
Leadership
Daniel Smaw
Executive Director
Daniel Smaw brings a background in operations, team leadership, and culture-driven brand management. He previously served in leadership roles with Dutch Bros Coffee, where he helped manage high-volume environments, develop teams, execute systems, and maintain brand standards across fast-paced operations. Daniel is known for building a strong internal culture while delivering measurable results. His experience includes managing staff, implementing operational systems, coordinating cross-functional communication, and ensuring accountability at scale. A Grants Pass resident, he is committed to strengthening downtown relationships, supporting small businesses, and helping Main Street Grants Pass build long-term sustainability.
Seth Benham
President & Co-Chair
Seth Benham is a Grants Pass City Councilor, small business owner, and marketing professional serving as President and Co-Chair of Main Street Grants Pass. Born and raised in Grants Pass, he founded Novum Visuals in 2014 and has spent more than a decade helping businesses grow across Oregon and beyond. As one of Main Street Grants Pass' original founders, he has helped shape the organization's mission to strengthen downtown vitality and support local merchants. He also serves as Vice Chair of Southern Oregon Aspire, focused on workforce development and long-term economic opportunity for the region.
Michael O'Coyne
Vice President & Co-Chair
Michael O'Coyne is a Grants Pass real estate broker and community advocate serving as Vice President and Co-Chair of Main Street Grants Pass. Since planting roots in Southern Oregon, he has focused on strengthening downtown through business recruitment, event strategy, and long-term placemaking initiatives that connect merchants, property owners, and local government. Drawing on two decades of marketing experience and daily work in the local housing market, he brings a data-driven, relationship-first approach to revitalization. His leadership centers on organizational accountability, clear communication, and building systems that support sustainable economic growth in the heart of Grants Pass.
Tammie Schmidt
Treasurer
When it comes to financial strategy and sustainable business growth, Tammie is a total pro. She has a BS in Accounting and worked as an accountant, controller, and financial consultant in the corporate and non-profit sectors in the Rogue Valley before starting her own business in 2016. Tammie also taught QuickBooks for Business Owners at Rogue Community College. According to her long list of satisfied clients, Tammie is a financial superhero, providing strategic oversight and financial counsel for small businesses and non-profit organizations from Grants Pass to Ashland. Tammie is a trustworthy and patient wife, mother, and friend who loves supporting businesses and nonprofits committed to helping people. She loves nothing more than knowing her work helps passionate people do good in the world.
Board Members
Scott Hillier
Board Member
Scott is a Phoenix High and Southern Oregon graduate. He spent 38 years with Lithia Motors in dealership operations. Retiring in 2024, he now concentrates on Partake downtown, numerous hospitality operations, and recently became majority partner in Irvine Roberts Vineyards in Ashland.
Jennifer Boersma
Board Member
Jennifer Boersma is a dedicated community steward and lifelong resident of Grants Pass, Oregon, known for her quiet but meaningful contributions to the vitality of downtown and the broader Rogue Valley. Her philanthropic spirit drives a deep commitment to giving back — supporting local causes and organizations that strengthen the social and economic fabric of the community she calls home. Jennifer is a passionate advocate for downtown Grants Pass, lending her time, energy, and resources to efforts that preserve its character and foster its growth. Beyond her community work, she shares a deep-rooted family passion for horse racing, with ties to Grants Pass Downs that reflect her genuine love for the region's traditions and heritage. Understated in her approach yet steadfast in her impact, Jennifer Boersma is an integral part of what makes Grants Pass a place people are proud to call home.
Alan Taylor
Board Member
Alan Taylor is an award-winning radio and television personality and a 35-year broadcast professional. He pioneered the business of creating radio and video programming as an extension of major magazines, orchestrating innovative partnerships with the nation's leading publishers. Today, he hosts popular talk shows including The Drive with Alan Taylor and Entrepreneur Magazine's "Entrepreneur Weekly" radio show. His expertise has made him a frequent featured expert on ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, and NBC. Alan and his wife Jan also own and manage 62 commercial rentals encompassing several properties and a shopping center. He is an advocate, board member, and spokesperson for Patriot Outreach, supporting military service members and their families, as well as the Little Rock Foundation and the Austin Hatcher Foundation.
John Glarum
Board Member
John is an advocate for revitalizing downtown through community-driven events, small business collaboration, and creative problem-solving. He works in advanced research and development at Quantum Innovations, where he specializes in innovation and manufacturing. John brings both strategic vision and a hands-on approach to helping local businesses grow and thrive. Outside of work, he enjoys building Halloween props and setting up haunted houses — a creative outlet that blends his love of design, detail, and a good scare.
Carrie Boltz
Board Member
Carrie Boltz has been a proud downtown Grants Pass business owner since 2017, when she opened Diamond Cannabis, one of the city's pioneering local businesses. Since then, her entrepreneurial journey has expanded to include ownership at Augustino Estate & Vineyard, where she helps craft unique Southern Oregon wine experiences that celebrate community, craft, and connection. Most recently, Carrie co-founded The Loft, a creative gathering space in downtown Grants Pass designed to inspire collaboration, artistry, and a touch of magic. A true team player and passionate advocate for small business, Carrie is deeply committed to fostering a vibrant and economically thriving downtown. With tourism and local growth always in mind, Carrie believes that Grants Pass is "the best little RiverTown in the USA" — and she's dedicated to helping it thrive, grow, and come alive for generations to come.
McKenna LaStair
Board Member
McKenna LaStair and her family recently acquired RITA'S, a clothing boutique in the heart of downtown Grants Pass. Both she and her husband are Southern Oregon natives, along with their daughters Belle & Brielle. McKenna is passionate about the energy of this town and values being a part of its growth and development alongside other like-minded people in the community.
Liaisons
Terry Hopkins
Liaison — Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce
Terry Hopkins is the President & CEO of the Grants Pass & Josephine County Chamber of Commerce, where he leads regional efforts in business development, economic advocacy, and community engagement. As a serial entrepreneur, Terry spent most of his professional career in the food and beverage industry before taking his talents to the Chamber of Commerce to support business leaders in the community. With a passion for building strong public-private partnerships, he works to advance policies and programs that support local commerce and workforce growth.
Dan Buck
Liaison — Visit Grants Pass
As Executive Director of Visit Grants Pass, Dan Buck serves as a vital strategic liaison to Main Street Grants Pass, bridging the critical gap between tourism promotion and downtown economic vitality. He leverages his deep expertise in marketing and brand strategy, honed through leadership roles at iconic local brands, to attract visitors who become dedicated patrons of our downtown businesses. Dan is a passionate advocate for telling the authentic story of Grants Pass, ensuring that the city's tourism efforts directly support the health and vibrancy of our historic core. His collaborative approach and deep community roots make him an indispensable partner in championing the continued growth and success of Main Street.
Dana Pearce
Liaison — City of Grants Pass
Dana Pearce brings a rare blend of entrepreneurial grit and public-sector expertise to her role as a key liaison between the City of Grants Pass and Main Street Grants Pass, where her work as Economic Development Manager directly supports the vitality and long-term health of our historic downtown core. A Central Oregon native who has called Grants Pass home since 2002, Dana understands firsthand what it takes to build and sustain a thriving small business in our community. She oversees the city's Urban Renewal programs, business incentive tools, and downtown revitalization efforts — making her an indispensable partner in advancing the economic and cultural mission of Main Street. Her philosophy of "responsible growth" ensures that every initiative she champions strengthens the fabric of downtown Grants Pass while honoring the small-town character that makes this community exceptional.
Monet Goode
With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.
Emmett Marsh
Sales ManagerFocused, approachable, and driven by results, our sales manager is all about building strong relationships. They help connect people to the right solutions—with clarity and care.