Meet the MEDP Team

Patty Herzog, Executive Director

Email: Patty@McMinnvilleBusiness.com

Phone: 503.474.6814 

Patty Herzog, Executive Director

Patty has over 20 years’ experience in rural economic development holding positions in the public and private sectors as a small business owner, a former rural elected official, and most recently as the Executive Director of the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP). Prior to joining MEDP, she served as the Director of Rural Economic and Community Development at the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) where she was responsible for the administration of $14.8 million dollars in Community Development Block Grant CARES Act funding to rural communities. She also built a coalition of volunteers to develop Launch Rural Nevada an annual event designed for startups and small business owners in rural Nevada providing opportunities for mentorship, access to capital, and connection with entrepreneurial support organizations.

She currently serves on the Chemeketa College Foundation Board and the McMinnville Public Arts Commission. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Management in Technology from Great Basin College and a Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from the University of Nevada, Reno Extended Studies.

Heather Hadley Blank, Deputy Director

Email: Heather@McMinnvilleBusiness.com

Phone: 971.241.8777 

“Creativity is my game.”

Heather has great attention to detail and boundless imagination. Whether it’s planning an event for ten or one thousand or orchestrating a multitude of project elements – she always comes up with clever solutions.

At MEDP she brings her ‘maker’ talents to the table to help shape the community, its businesses and its workforce, in being the vibrant and vital city we love.

Merchandising and organization are her forte – helping to produce silent auction galas and tech forums for the Oregon Software Industry (now TAO), building trade show booths and marketing digital projectors at tradeshows around the world, producing preferred partner and sales events from Australia to Hawaii or displaying her hand-sewn bluebird of happiness at McMinnville’s Saturday Market, she’s got it covered.  She's known to go the extra mile with her attention to detail... even climbing a 50' ladder to install an Oregon manufacturer's product over a LIVE shark tank!

Having planned and promoted events starting in high school, she knew it was in her genes. A graduate of University of Oregon, mother of two and 20 year resident of McMinnville – Heather brings nearly 30+ years of experience producing marketing programs and events for the not-for-profit and for-profit industries. She is a terrific talent to have on our team.

Founding Partners and Board of Directors

Our work was started by a partnership between the City of McMinnville, McMinnville Water & Light, McMinnville Industrial Promotions, McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce, and area businesses. Our partners are believers in the McMinnville community and investors in MEDP. Together we offer business resources and connections for you and your business. To learn more, see our Investor Circle. The investor circle and our founding partners represent the “Partnership” in the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership.

MEDP Board of Directors:

John Dietz, McMinnville Water and Light

Teresa Smith, McMinnville Industrial Promotions

Deven Paolo, Small Business Liaison

Heather Richards, City of McMinnville

Mike Morris, McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce