Danny is a Master Gardener whose expertise is rooted in both formal training and hands-on practice. He works full-time as a gardener at the Allison Inn & Spa Culinary Garden, where he helps cultivate produce and plants that supply one of the region’s most celebrated hospitality destinations. He maintains a plot at the McMinnville Community Garden, where he also pitches in as a volunteer in various ways. His love for the natural world shines in his commitment to starting healthy plants from seed and cuttings and in his belief that gardening should be approachable for everyone.

Lee brings a career that began in food, hospitality, and event design before expanding into brand building and destination marketing. Early on, Lee worked in the family catering company, gaining experience in fine dining, large-scale event design and small business leadership. Later, as a Marketing Team Leader at Whole Foods Market, Lee honed skills in storytelling, merchandising, and customer engagement that continue to shape his work today.

At Durant at Red Ridge Farms, Lee led a comprehensive rebrand that united four distinct businesses into one nationally recognized destination for wine, olive oil, specialty nursery plants, and culinary tourism. Over eight years, he expanded a small two-day olive oil celebration into the Olio Nuevo Festival, a month-long annual event that draws visitors with its focus on local food, wine, and culture. Under his leadership, Durant became a “must-stop” in Oregon wine country, recognized as an industry leader while achieving rapid growth in both visitation and sales.

As Director of Marketing and Communications at Visit McMinnville , Lee shapes how the town is seen and experienced by visitors from across the globe. From launching the “Kick Back in Mac” campaign to building a new website, producing hundreds of social campaigns and videos, and leading national media tours, Lee’s work transforms stories into real visitation that drives the local economy. Beyond tourism, Lee has also championed community projects such as McMinnville Art Alley, the Edible Garden Festival, Merry McMinnville, MacFresco, and the Solid Foundations Tour - initiatives that turned overlooked ideas and spaces into thriving experiences for the community.