McDaniel is the owner and CEO for McDaniel Enterprises in Laurens, SC. The company includes McDaniel Rental Properties, the LaForrest Community Care Center, McDaniel ABC Package stores, a Kountry Korner convenience store, Two Brothers Check Cashing and Tobacco and the Taggart Timber Company.

He received his education at Sanders High School in Laurens and South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC, where he completed a B.S. degree in Industrial Education. McDaniel furthered his education at the Strom Thurmond Institute of Government, the University of Georgia Property and Casualty Qualification School and the University of South Carolina Realtors Institute.

Involvement in the community includes a membership with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the Laurens Board of the Palmetto Bank, lifetime membership with the NAACP, member, former chair and former vice chair of the Laurens County Council, the Laurens County Election Commission, former member for the Board of Visitors for Presbyterian and Piedmont Technical Colleges and former president and alumni member of Leadership Laurens.

On the county council, McDaniel proposed the resolution to make Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday a holiday in Laurens and was instrumental in getting the resolution passed. He renovated the local Charles Duckett house and turned it into a museum of black history for Laurens residents. This landmark serves as a place for African-Americans to learn about their history, have meetings and similar social functions.

His outlook on the economic conditions for African-Americans in 2007 is generally positive. He believes that it is important to prepare for employment or personal business development in order to gain greater economic advancement. McDaniel hopes to help impact the success of African-Americans in his area by encouraging young people to complete their educations, choosing areas where they have a genuine interest.

In addition, McDaniel encourages home and real estate ownership to begin wealth development. He intends to provide additional employment opportunities in his businesses to assist others interested in starting businesses.

McDaniel and his wife, Sheila, have two sons, Garrett, 19, and Lee, 17. His personal objective is to "leave a legacy of opportunity in business and government for South Carolina African-Americans willing to take personal responsibility for their pursuits in business and public service."